Starting next week, Baptist team members at risk for developing diabetes can get the help they need through a new BestHealth initiative—the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). BestHealth wellbeing specialist Shalonda Tucker explains what the program is and how it will help team members.
- What is the DPP and how can it help Baptist team members?
DPP is a scientific-based program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goal of the program is to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes through affordable and high-quality lifestyle changes. DPP will help Baptist team members by introducing new habits that will lower their risk for type 2 diabetes. Program participants who are on Baptist’s health insurance plan can receive the gift cards they didn’t earn for body mass index (BMI), glucose, and blood pressure.
- Why is it important for people at risk for diabetes to change their behavior?
People with prediabetes are at high risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is expensive! Medical expenses for people diagnosed with diabetes average $16,750 a year. The good news: the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program’s lifestyle change program can help people with prediabetes prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems and improve their overall health. It’s scientifically proven, and it works.
- What will participants do during the class?
During the program, participants will be engaged, learn new skills, share ideas, celebrate successes and work to overcome obstacles.
- How long does the class last?
The program runs for 1 year.
- During the first 6 months of the program, participants meet about once a week.
- During the second 6 months, they will meet once or twice a month.
- Who is eligible to attend the class?
To be eligible for referral to a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program, patients must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old and
- Be overweight (body mass index above 25 or above 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/dL or
- Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes
To sign up for a DPP class:
- Log in to HealthStream
- Click on the “Catalog” tab
- In the search bar, type in “BestHealth” (one word, not two)
- Locate “BMH BestHealth Diabetes Prevention Program” and click on the “Info” button
- Click on the “Choose Class” button
- Find the location, date and time you would like to attend and click on the green “Register” button
