Diabetes Scotland Campaigns

Campaigning for change

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health crises of our time, with more than 335,000 people living with diabetes in Scotland. Rates of diabetes are rapidly increasing, with diabetes diagnoses more than doubling in the last 20 years. A large part of this rise is due to the growing rate of type 2 diagnoses. 

Diabetes Scotland campaigns to make sure diabetes is kept high on the political agenda. We lobby for improvements and raise awareness of diabetes and issues which affect people living with the condition through activity in the Scottish Parliament. 

Data shows that we are still seeing vast inequalities across Scotland with people from areas of multiple deprivation more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and experience poorer outcomes. People living in poverty are over twice as likely to get type 2 diabetes and over two and half times more likely to develop life-changing complications such as heart problems and strokes. 

We have to address these inequalities in a holistic way to ensure that everyone is supported and empowered to live healthy lives. 

It’s estimated that the NHS in Scotland spends £1 billion on diabetes care, 10% of its budget. 80% of this is on avoidable complications. 

Structural factors make it difficult, sometimes impossible, for people to make healthy choices. If we want to reduce instances of type 2 diabetes, and the significant burden on the NHS, we need cross-government and cross-system action that shows Scotland is addressing the social determinants of health.  

We believe that everyone should be able to have what they need to live healthy lives – and it’s time to make that happen. 

Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait  

Diabetes technology can be life-changing for people with any type of diabetes relying on multiple daily insulin injections. But far too many people in Scotland are missing out – unable to access the tech they need to help them live well with diabetes. 

In our recent survey of over 1,000 people living with diabetes, one in five said they are having difficulty accessing key diabetes technology that can vastly improve your life. That’s not fair. 

Our Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait campaign is calling on decision-makers to make sure access to tech is based on your need and not on your postcode. To do that, we need real-life stories to show why tech matters. 

Can you share your story about diabetes tech and help us to make sure access to diabetes tech is fair and equal? 

Find out more about our tech campaign and ways to get involved. 

Other ways you can make a difference 

Join our Tech Collective

Find out about our Tech Collective and how to get involved in campaigning for fair and equal access to diabetes technology. This page also lists other ways you can make your voice heard. 

National standard for diabetes care that includes emotional support

As part of a UK wide campaign, we're calling for emotional support to be part of routine diabetes care in Scotland. Find out our recommendations and examples of best practice in Scotland on our campaign page. 

Diabetes Cross-Party Group

Diabetes Scotland acts as the secretariat to the Diabetes Cross-Party Group, which is open to everyone. We’d love you to come along and share your experiences of living with diabetes. 

To get involved email scotland@diabetes.org.uk