Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced Suffolk
County will offer a free diabetes prevention program for residents who are at
risk for developing type-2 diabetes. The National Diabetes Prevention Program
supports moderate behavioral changes that incorporate healthy eating and
physical activity.
“We seek to create a culture in Suffolk County in which healthy
living is the norm,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “To
accomplish this, we are offering residents, free of charge, a program that will
give them the support they need to make small lifestyle changes to improve
their health and well-being.”
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken said: “Diabetes
puts the body at risk for many serious health conditions. The good news is that
moderate changes in lifestyle can help restore blood sugar to normal levels and
result in significant health benefits. As residents begin to think about
resolutions for the new year, I encourage them to consider signing up for this
evidence-based program.”
The Diabetes Prevention Program, which is supported by the CDC, is
led by a trained lifestyle coach. It will meet one hour per week for 16 weeks,
then bi-monthly for two months, then monthly for the remainder of one year.
Courses will begin shortly after the New Year and class size is limited. The
first 16 sessions of each course are scheduled as follows:
Smithtown
Smithtown Public Library
One North Country Road, Smithtown
Time: 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Contact: Debora, 631-853-2928
Dates (Monday)
February 25, 2019
March 4, 11, 18, 25;
April 1, 8, 15, 22;
May 6, 13, 20;
June 3, 10, 17, 24
Shirley
HRHCare Marilyn Shellabarger Family Health Center
550 Montauk Highway, Shirley
Time: 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Contact: Debora 631-853-2928
Dates (Friday)
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29;
April 5, 12, 19, 26;
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31;
June 7, 14
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
approximately 84 million American adults—more than one out of three—have
prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, 90 percent don’t know they have
it. The Diabetes Prevention Program is based on a research study led
by the National Institutes of Health. The study showed that with intensive
counseling and motivational support, participants were able to make behavioral
changes, reducing their risk for developing diabetes by 58 percent. Lifestyle
changes worked particularly well for participants aged 60 and older, reducing their
risk by 71 percent.
Without the occurrence of clear symptoms, Prediabetes can be
difficult to detect and often goes undetected until serious health problems
such as type 2 diabetes show up. It’s important to talk to your doctor about
getting your blood sugar tested if you have any of the risk factors for
prediabetes. Risk factors include: being overweight; being 45 years or older;
having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes; being physically
active less than three times a week, and giving birth to a baby who weighed
more than nine pounds.
For more information or to find out if you are at risk for
diabetes, visit the Diabetes Prevention Program page on the
Suffolk County website or call the Office of Health Education at (631)
853-3162.
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