Telecommunications giant BT has launched a campaign to help thousands of its employees avoid developing Type 2 diabetes, or manage it better if already diagnosed. The company estimates that up to 8,000 of its 112,000-strong workforce suffer from the life-threatening condition, which is predicted to increase dramatically worldwide in the next 20 years due to the increasing rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Employees are being encouraged to sign up to Work Fit - Diabetes, the latest initiative under the company's Work Fit health promotion banner, which has already tackled the importance of exercise, good mental health and cancer prevention (OH at Work 2007; 3(6): 16-19). BT estimates that around 6,000 employees already know they have the disease but up to 2,000 are currently unaware of their condition. The campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage personal responsibility for prevention and early detection.
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