Findings highlight the value of diabetes educators in programs to stop or delay type 2 diabetes
A new original research report from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) shows the impact of the AADE Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPP), which help participants lose weight and lead healthier lives to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by working with a diabetes educator.
The report published in The Diabetes Educator, demonstrates the success of the AADE DPP model of implementation of the evidence-based National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) within diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs nation-wide through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Participants of AADE DPP sites showed successful achievement of weight loss and other requirements set forth by the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention and Recognition Program (DPRP).
“This report proves what we have known all along, DSME programs are an excellent platform for the delivery of the National DPP, and including diabetes educators is very valuable,” said Joanna Craver DiBenedetto, lead author of the report and Director of Prevention at AADE. “Now that we have confirmed the AADE DPP’s strengths, and with Medicare coverage of DPP looming, we hope to expand AADE DPP to every interested DSME program. The only way we will collectively stem the tide of type 2 diabetes is to ensure implementation of successful delivery models of the National DPP.”
More than 86 million people are estimated to have prediabetes in the US and of those, only about 10% are aware they have it, meaning the vast majority of people with prediabetes are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes without even knowing it.
In 2012, the AADE was selected by the CDC to expand the reach of the National Diabetes Prevention Program through existing DSME programs. Over three years, AADE worked with more than 25 DSME programs to provide the AADE Diabetes Prevention Program to participants in 14 states, focusing on healthy eating and physical activities. Program staff attended CDC-recognized Lifestyle Coach Trainings on DPP delivery, ensuring clinical staff have the in-depth knowledge needed to provide long-term results. AADE supported the programs with Lifestyle Coach Trainings, webinars, tools, resources, in-person meetings and technical assistance throughout their delivery. AADE continues to administer the AADE DPP through a total of 44 sites in 2016, and is looking to expand DPP services to many more programs and individuals in 2017 and beyond.
The full article can be read online.