Diabetes

Diabetes is on the rise for all U.S. adults and the medical costs are shocking. Fortunately, this chronic condition can usually be delayed or stopped with health behavior changes. The Healthy Living Program can help you learn more about the classes and resources available to prevent diabetes. We can also help healthcare systems/clinics, employers, and insurers learn how they can prevent diabetes. If you have questions, email healthpromotion@slco.org.

 

Prediabetes is when glucose (sugar) in the body is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. Those with prediabetes are on the path to type 2 diabetes, but it can be reversed! Some of the most common risk factors are being 45+ years old, being physically inactive, being overweight, and having a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is when women develop high glucose levels during pregnancy. Like other types of diabetes, it affects how your cells use glucose in the body. Mothers who had gestational diabetes have a 50% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. The child also has an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults because the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes when the body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. The body doesn’t make enough insulin to keep glucose at normal levels.

Birthdays are fun. Traveling is exciting. Hobbies are rewarding. Family time is valuable. Be here to enjoy them all! Learn how to live a healthier life and do more of what you love by signing up for a diabetes or diabetes prevention class!

Register here  for any of the below classes in either English or Spanish.

National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP)
This is a lifestyle change program for preventing type 2 diabetes. The program helps participants make lasting lifestyle changes like eating healthier, being physically active, and learning coping skills to lose 5-7% of their body weight. The program is taught by a lifestyle coach and has a small group of participants. To sign up, you:

• Must be 18+ years and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥24 or ≥22 if Asian
• Must have a blood test from the past year indicating they have prediabetes or a history of gestational diabetes
• or have a positive result on the prediabetes risk test (see Risk Test tab above)

 

Living Well with Diabetes (DSMP)
This is a diabetes self-management program that covers topics such as monitoring blood sugar, healthy eating, recommended testing and preventive services, how to deal with sick days, foot care, and complications.

Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSMES)
This class is led by diabetes educators to help people with diabetes learn how to successfully manage their disease and practice self-care behaviors each day. This training is reimbursed by Medicare (20% copay), Utah Medicaid ($0-3 copay), and certain Utah health plans.

Find out if you may have prediabetes by taking the prediabetes risk test.

If you score 5 or higher, you likely have prediabetes and are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. However, only your doctor can tell you for sure by taking a blood test to measure your glucose (sugar) levels. 

Here’s the good news: With small lifestyle changes you can reverse prediabetes! Go to the "Classes" tab above to learn more about the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) and to see if you qualify.

• The STAT (Screen. Test. Act Today.) toolkit made by the American Medical Association (AMA) and CDC outlines how health care professionals can prevent diabetes through prediabetes screening, testing, and referral to the NDPP. The STAT toolkit also outlines how employers and insurers can offer the NDPP as a covered benefit to employees to improve their overall health and reduce medical expenses that are often caused by type 2 diabetes.
• Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP)
• To learn more about prediabetes or the NDPP, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Living Well Utah.