MASON CITY – The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program has received the Certificate of CDC Full Recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered a quality, evidence-based diabetes prevention program that meets all required CDC recognition standards.
Currently, the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is only one of three programs in Iowa to be granted this designation. “It takes two years to demonstrate achievement for this recognition and is great success for our Department’s diabetes prevention efforts”, said Karen Crimmings, RN, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Service Manager with the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “Our program has seen great results with our participants and continues to grow each time the program is offered.”
The Diabetes Prevention Program is a nationally recognized weight-loss program from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proven to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.
People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels — are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within three years if they do not take steps to prevent it.
Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants learn the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing weight, being more physically active, and managing stress. In addition, they learn how to eat healthy, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. The Diabetes Prevention Program groups meet weekly for six months, followed by six monthly maintenance sessions to assist with maintaining the healthy lifestyle changes they learn. The course is a one year commitment.
The next session will begin in January and enrollment for the program is now open. To take the prediabetes screening test, or to enroll in the program visit http://www.cghealth.com or call 641-421-9303.