adult screening programme
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces no insulin. It is often referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes. It is also sometimes known as juvenile diabetes, or early-onset diabetes, because it usually develops before the age of 40, often in the teenage years.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when not enough insulin is produced by the body for it to function properly, or when the body’s cells do not react to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes.
Read more about type 1 diabetes on the NHS website.
» Read more about type 2 diabetes on NHS UK
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in March 2026.
The UK NSC commissioned an evidence map in 2025 for screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults.
The map found there was not enough evidence to warrant a new evidence review. The basis for this was that there was no evidence suggesting that screening is more beneficial than not screening.
Supporting documents from the 2026 review
Evidence map
This document investigates whether a more detailed review can be conducted based on the available evidence.
Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Supporting documents from the 2019 review
In 2019, the UK NSC did not recommend screening for this condition.
Evidence summary Diabetes (2019)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses Diabetes (2019)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2026
Next review estimated to be completed: 2029 to 2030.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Diabetes
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- Association of British Clinical Diabetologists
- British Society for Immunology
- Diabetes UK
- Primary Care Diabetes Society
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.