National Diabetes Prevention Program

National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Change Program 

The National DPP Lifestyle Change Program is founded on the science of the Diabetes Prevention Program research study and subsequent translation studies, which showed that making realistic behavior changes helped people with prediabetes lose 5% to 7% of their body weight and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60 years old). The program is group-based, facilitated by a trained lifestyle coach, and uses a CDC-approved curriculum. The curriculum supports regular interaction between the lifestyle coach and participants, builds peer support, and focuses on behavior modification through healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and managing stress. The program may be delivered in-person, online, via distance learning, or through a combination of these delivery modes. 

Employers

Prediabetes could be affecting your workforce. One out of three adults has prediabetes, and without lifestyle changes, people with prediabetes can develop type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of serious health complications including kidney failure, blindness, heart attack, stroke, and loss of toes, feet, or legs. Diabetes contributes to reduced productivity and absenteeism, and the cost of care for people diagnosed with diabetes is 2.3 times more than for people without diabetes. A powerful tool to prevent prediabetes is The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Change Program. The program offers a full year of support, follows a CDC-approved curriculum, ensures program quality and adherence to scientific standards, and is community-based and cost-effective. The National DPP Lifestyle Change Program can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by 58%! To learn more, visit the National Diabetes Prevention Program Toolkit.

The Alabama Department of Public Health Diabetes Program is partnering with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) to better understand awareness, interest, and recent actions related to coverage of the National DPP. You can help our efforts by completing the survey below. Your response to this survey contributes to a national effort to expand the National DPP. It presents an opportunity for you to receive aggregate results reports using your provided contact information, as well as the opportunity to join an employer network. Scan the QR code or hit the link below to participate in the survey.

• Employer Market Assessment

CDC-recognized Lifestyle Change Programs in Alabama

Are you looking for assistance in preventing diabetes? A CDC-recognized lifestyle change program could very well be the answer. Diabetes Prevention Programs map shows sites in Alabama ready to help you lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and improve your health. 

Also, visit the Alabama Chronic Disease Resource Directory for a list of places near you that offer Lifestyle Change Programs. 

Healthcare Providers

The American Medical Association is a good resource for helping healthcare organizations become DPP Sites.

Target Population

The National DPP lifestyle change program is designed for people 18 years or older who have prediabetes or who are at risk for type 2 diabetes but who do not already have type 2 diabetes.

To be eligible for referral to the National DPP lifestyle change program, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old, and
• Be overweight (body mass index ≥25; ≥23 if Asian), and
• Have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and
• Have a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year:
  -- Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7%-6.4%, or
  -- Fasting plasma glucose: 100-125 mg/dl, or
  -- Two-hour plasma glucose (after a 75 gm glucose load): 140-199 mg/gl, or
• Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Prediabetes can be diagnosed via oral glucose tolerance tests, fasting blood glucose tests, or an A1C test. Blood-based testing is the most accurate way to determine if a patient has prediabetes.