A pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) tool is now making a significant impact on diabetes patients in Bradford by helping them avoid serious health complications. This initiative responds to concerning statistics, revealing that Bradford and the Craven district stand out as having some of the highest diabetes rates in the UK, particularly in the Yorkshire and Humber regions.
The AI model assists healthcare providers in crafting personalized treatment plans, focusing on tailored diets and exercise regimes specific to each patient’s needs. Developed through a partnership between Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of York, this innovative tool enables clinicians to identify patients at risk for type 2 diabetes-related complications, such as hypertension and heart disease, thereby facilitating more specialized care.
Researchers are especially optimistic about the system’s potential benefits for patients of South Asian heritage, a group that is disproportionately impacted by diabetes. They emphasize that early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies are critical for improving health outcomes within this community.
Professor Tom Lawton, head of clinical AI at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, addressed the urgent nature of the diabetes crisis in the UK. “Diabetes is an enormous and escalating problem across the UK, especially in Bradford, which exhibits some of the highest prevalence rates in the nation,” he explained. He highlighted the transformative potential of AI in delivering personalized care, but he also underscored the necessity of ensuring safety—both physically and ethically—before implementing such technologies.
Professor Lawton noted that while outer districts report lower diabetes rates, the heart of Bradford—home to a significant South Asian population—faces some of the highest rates in the country. Research by the British Heart Foundation supports this disparity, showing that individuals of South Asian descent are nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to other demographic groups, regardless of risk factors. The findings indicate that South Asian men are at the highest risk, while white European women show the lowest. Notably, South Asian women have risk levels similar to those of white European men.
For more insights about West Yorkshire, listeners can catch highlights on BBC Sounds, check out the latest episode of Look North, or share stories that deserve attention.
