Gov. Cooper has proclaimed November as Diabetes Awareness Month, recognizing that more than 1 million adults report being diagnosed by a health care professional and more than 72,000 are estimated to be diagnosed with the disease annually in North Carolina.
While diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death on North Carolina, approximately one in five people with diabetes do not know they have the disease. Complications from diabetes include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, hearing loss and amputation. Racial and ethnic minority populations have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which includes standards for the DPP lifestyle change program, the program curriculum and a national recognition program. Diabetesfreenc.com houses a map of available DPPs in North Carolina, as well as resources for health care providers, employers, DPP sites, and information about the DPP Navigator referral service.
This12-month lifestyle change program is facilitated by trained lifestyle coaches who deliver a CDC-approved DPP curriculum and support participants in adopting healthier lifestyle habits to reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes. DPPs are available across NC in English and Spanish in online and in-person formats. Enrolling in and completing the lifestyle change program has shown to reduce a participant’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than 50%.
If you have questions about eligibility for enrollment into a DPP or the referral process, call the DPP Navigators at 1-844-328-0021 or email dppreferral@dhhs.nc.gov. To contact the DPP Coordinator, Kristie Hicks, email Kristie.hicks@dhhs.nc.gov.
Many people with type 2 diabetes can manage their blood sugar with the help of a diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) class. The class focuses on self-care behaviors, such as healthy eating, being active, and monitoring blood sugar. Classes are taught in individual and group settings, and many programs offer virtual delivery options. People living with diabetes should visit DiabetesManagementNC.com to learn more about how they can benefit from participation in a DSMES service and to find a program near them. To contact the DSMES Coordinator, Corissa Payton, email Corissa.Payton@dhhs.nc.gov.