A new Medical Device Awareness Card has been launched, sponsored by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Airport Operators Association (AOA), which covers insulin pumps, CGMs and flash glucose monitoring devices including the Freestyle Libre. Due to potential damage, insulin pump and CGM manufacturers advise that the medical devices should not be exposed to x-ray screening or full-body airport scanners. Regulations allow passengers with these medical devices to ask for an alternative security screening process. The new card provides information for both the Security Officer and the passenger and can be downloaded directly from the CAA website www.caa.co.uk.

Campaign Organiser, Rachel Humphrey has had passport sized (8.5cm x 12.5cm) versions of the card printed and is providing them free of charge upon receipt of a stamped addressed envelope (UK only). For details please email: semarroy@me.com or see www.change.org/p/airport-authorities-standardpolicy-for-insulin-pumps-at-airport-security

Did you know that every two minutes someone finds out that they have Type 2 diabetes? It’s a very serious health condition but the good news is that it can be prevented.

Are you at risk?

Anyone can develop Type 2 diabetes but certain factors can increase your risk:

• The older you are, the more at risk you are.
• You’re two to six times more at risk if you have a parent, child, brother or sister with diabetes.
• You’re more at risk if you are Chinese, South Asian, African-Caribbean or Black-African.
• You’re more at risk if you’re overweight, especially around the middle, or if you’ve ever had high blood pressure

The first thing you need to do is find out if you are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. You can do this by visiting www.diabetes.org.uk/knowyourrisk

You can also find out your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes at an NHS Health Check (available to those aged 40+). If blood test results show you are at risk, you may be eligible for your local Healthier You service.

Get with the programme

To find out more about our local Healthier You service and to read case studies from local people who have attended and completed the programme, visit the Stop Diabetes website.