Campaigners have called for patients with diabetes to take part in "life-saving" education courses.
Diabetes UK says improved take-up would be a major improvement in diabetes care.
It made its call for World Diabetes Day.
The charity says a target should be set to ensure at least 50% of patients have taken part in five-day courses.
Charity chief executive Chris Askew said: "The more you know about diabetes, the better. Cutting your risk of developing devastating complications is crucial."
Meanwhile English chief nurse Jane Cummings revealed she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 19 – while already a nursing student.
She said young people diagnosed with the disease should "respect the condition" but not let it define them.
She said: "Some people say it is a restriction on the things you can do but I say it’s far better to look after yourself, treat your diabetes with respect, don’t mess with it and if you do that you’ll be fitter and healthier and have fewer complications. In the long run it’s the right thing to do.
“Type 2 tends to occur later in life and it’s something you can prevent but it doesn’t mean once you’ve got it you can’t manage it."
Meanwhile a survey for the specialist exhibition, Diabetes Professional Care, shows that "all the signs" are there for millions more people developing the type 2 condition.
Some 3,000 people took part in a survey and 20% admitted being overweight while 24% admitted carrying belly fat.
The survey found erratic eating habits, including 16% who said they had not regular meal times. Some 19% admitted to not having regular exercise.
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