The Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Program will hold two kickoff meetings for residents interested in participating in a type 2 diabetes prevention program. The virtual meetings will be held on Wednesday, May 19th, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and on Tuesday, May 25th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 Anyone interested in taking part should call Cristina Gibson at 912-644-5818 or email cristina.gibson@dph.ga.gov.

PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants will learn the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.

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 can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within 5 years.

“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Coastal Health District Chronic Disease Prevention Director, Cristina Gibson. “The PreventT2 program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.”

PreventT2 groups meet for a year — weekly for the first 6 months, then once or twice a month for the second 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.