Herkimer County HealthNet offering free pre-diabetes program
Mohawk Valley residents with pre-diabetes or who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes now have more resources to prevent diabetes. Herkimer County HealthNet is pleased to announce that there will be a free diabetes prevention program. The program helps participants reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes by learning to eat healthier, lose weight, become more physically active and manage stress.
The program will begin Thursday, Oct. 11, and will meet every Thursday for 16 weeks, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Mohawk Reformed Church, 20 S. Otsego St., Mohawk. After the first 16 weeks, the program will meet once monthly for six months to continue to offer support and help participates stick to their new healthy lifestyle. The cost for this program is free and includes material to help you learn how to become more physically active, and learn skills to make healthy food choices.
Prediabetes is defined as having a blood glucose (sugar) level that is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. A person with pre-diabetes is at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, and stroke. While many are familiar with type 2 diabetes, fewer are aware of pre-diabetes, a serious health condition that affects 86 million Americans (more than one in three) and often leads to type 2 diabetes.
More than one in three American adults has pre-diabetes — a serious health condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes and other significant health conditions like blindness, heart attack or stroke. According to newly released CDC data, however, nearly 90 percent of the 84 million people with prediabetes do not know they have it and are not aware of the long-term risks to their health. Currently, about 30 million Americans are living with diabetes.
Elyse Enea Bellows Program Coordinator of Herkimer County HealthNet said, “Small changes can prevent diabetes, with this program we are hoping to spark a change because the reality is that the majority of the public is either unaware or does not take prediabetes seriously.”
If you are interested in attending the Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact: Herkimer County HealthNet at 315-867-1552 or eenea@herkimercounty.org.