The Suffolk County Department of Health Services Commissioner invites residents who are at risk for developing type-2 diabetes to participate in a program that will help them reduce their risk. The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) supports moderate behavioral changes that incorporate healthy eating and physical activity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 98 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—are at risk for diabetes. Of those, more than 80% do not know they have an increased risk of developing not only type 2 diabetes but also heart disease and stroke.
Residents who wish to find out if they are at risk may visit https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/risktest/index.html.
“Diabetes puts the body at risk for many serious health conditions,” said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Health Commissioner. “The good news is that moderate changes in lifestyle can help restore blood sugar to normal levels and result in significant health benefits.” The Diabetes Prevention Program is based on research conducted 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.
The Diabetes Prevention Program is led by a trained lifestyle coach. It meets one hour and 15 minutes per week for 16 weeks, then monthly for the remainder of one year. The next series will begin Wednesday, February 21, 2024 and conclude Wednesday, February 12, 2025 and at the Long Island Community Hospital located at 100 Hospital Road, Patchogue, NY.
Program dates are as follows:
| February 21, 28 |
| March 6, 13, 20, 27 |
| April 3, 10, 17, 24 |
| May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 |
| June 5, 26 |
| July 10, 24 |
| August 14 |
| September 11 |
| October 9 |
| November 13 |
| December 11 |
| January 8, 2025 |
| February 12, 2025 |
Classes start at 6 p.m. and end at 7:15 p.m.
To register, contact Debora at 631-853-2928 or Debora.rippel@suffolkcountyny.gov Registration is required.
Residents are invited to attend informational sessions scheduled for 1 p.m. on February 6, 2024, at the Patchogue/Medford Library and 1 p.m. February 7, 2024, Bayport-Blue Point Library.