The core goals of the NHS DPP are for people to achieve a healthy weight, align eating habits with national dietary recommendations and accomplish the recommendations regarding physical activity.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have similar programmes promoting risk awareness, risk identification and supporting people to make healthier choices and necessary lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes.

The diabetes prevention programmes comprise two integrated components: 

• Risk identification services
• Intensive lifestyle-change programmes. 

Data from the NHS DPP in England for 2017-18 suggests approximately 37 per cent of those offered help via the DPP declined to take it. Community pharmacies are the ideal place to engage with these people and teams can use national materials, such as those available from NHS England, or those prepared by their local commissioning groups, to promote awareness and support the reduction of modifiable risk factors. They can also direct people to NHS-approved technology (e.g. health apps) to support lifestyle interventions.