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accessHealthNews.net
Nov/Dec 2024
Volume 11 | Issue No. 90
TIn observance of American Diabetes
Month, health organizations like the
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
are raising awareness about diabetes
prevention and the critical need for early
intervention. One effective approach is
the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP),
an ongoing initiative designed to help
high-risk individuals avoid developing type
2 diabetes. Through structured education,
peer support, and guidance from lifestyle
coaches and health care providers, the
DPP equips participants with the tools they
need to create and maintain healthy
habits that can last a lifetime.
Prediabetes: The Tipping Point to Type 2
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC),
approximately 37.3 million American adults
live with diabetes, representing 11.3%
of the U.S. population. Of these, about
8.5 million individuals are undiagnosed,
meaning nearly 23% of people with
diabetes are unaware of their condition.
The prevalence of diabetes is highest
among American Indians, Hispanic
Americans, non-Hispanic Black Americans,
and some Asian American and Pacific
Islander groups. Prediabetes, where blood
sugar levels are elevated but not yet high
enough to be considered diabetes, is
increasingly common and represents a
significant health risk. It's estimated that
96 million American adults—about one in
three—have prediabetes, yet nearly 84%
remain unaware.
Once referred to as impaired glucose
tolerance, prediabetes signals a high
risk of progression to type 2 diabetes if
left unmanaged. Early detection and
intervention can delay or prevent this
progression, addressing a potential crisis
in health care systems, patient outcomes,
and economic impact.
READ MORE
Providers who have successfully implemented DPPs recommend
choosing coaches who are culturally humble, flexible, intuitive,
independent, passionate, consistent, and outgoing. Although the
DPP encourages a team approach and regular check-ins to monitor
patients' progress; coaches who can balance individual needs with
group dynamics are invaluable.
