Organization to offer virtual diabetes prevention program
Eighty-eight million American adults – one out of three – have pre-diabetes. Never heard of pre-diabetes? Pre-diabetes means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Not only does pre-diabetes increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes, but also for stroke and heart disease.
Pre-diabetes can often be reversed by making purposeful lifestyle changes like eating healthier and being more active. Even better news, the Madison County Rural Health Council offers a free evidence-based Prevent T2 Lifestyle Change Program to support you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle with the next session starting in fall 2020.
We also want to proudly announce that we have once again earned CDC Full Recognition for our program.
“This designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered a quality, evidence-based program that meets all of the standards for CDC recognition,” said Ann Albright, director of the Division of Diabetes Translation National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. “The sustained success of your lifestyle change program makes an invaluable contribution to the prevention of type 2 diabetes, both in your community and nationally.
“You and your colleagues should be extremely proud of this accomplishment. It is programs like yours that are turning the tide in the fight against the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes.”
The Madison County Rural Health Council has been offering the Prevent T2 program for more than five years in Madison County. We first achieved CDC full recognition in 2018 and continue to hold this outstanding status until 2022. Our experienced lifestyle coaches have successfully helped many community members meet their goals and reduce their risk of pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes through this program.
The overall goal of the Prevent T2 Lifestyle Change Program is for participants to lose 5 to 7 percent bodyweight and gradually increase their physical activity to a moderate pace for at least 150 minutes per week. The combination of increasing physical activity and adjusting eating habits to healthier ones is the perfect recipe for success in this program. Many people that completed the program have experienced lasting changes.
“I lost 42lbs and my doctor said it was the best he has seen me in 10 years,” said Rachel from New Woodstock.
“When I entered my first class, I was unsure of what to expect, but the hour went by quick and it was worth it,” said Paul from Hamilton. “I lost 20 pounds. Consistency is key; the program is going to change the way you eat.”
Those who actively participate in this achievable program lower their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 58 percent.
The CDC-approved curriculum topics covered in each one-hour session are practical, relatable and delivered by a trained lifestyle coach in a group setting. Typically, the program has been offered in-person at a local library or other setting; however, given the current COVID-19 crisis, we will be taking safety precautions and offering the program virtually via Zoom starting Sept. 17, 2020, from 11 a.m. to noon.
The program runs for one year, with weekly sessions for 16 weeks then transitioning to once a month for eight months. We are running a Prevent T2 program via Zoom, and it is proving to be effective in our ability to connect as a group, for participants continue to reach their goals and the curriculum to be delivered seamlessly.
The lifestyle coach is also available to provide technical support with accessing Zoom.
If you have been diagnosed by your healthcare provider with pre-diabetes, sign up today. If you are unsure if you have pre-diabetes, take a quick pre-diabetes risk test at doihaveprediabetes.org/ to determine if you are at risk. To join the upcoming Prevent T2 Lifestyle Change Program or for any questions about the program, contact Stephanie Henry, program coordinator, at 315.454-2108 henry.s@mcruralhealthcouncil.org. You can also register on our website at mcruralhealthcouncil.org.
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