Diabetes Prevention

The Diabetes Prevention Program is about learning how to implement healthy, sustainable changes to your daily food choices and engage in regular physical activity that is enjoyable to you. These lifestyle changes can help you lose weight, feel better and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This program is facilitated by trained lifestyle coaches who provide guidance and support throughout the program. You will also be surrounded with other participants who are experiencing similar challenges and together, you will learn from and support each other along your lifestyle change journey.

Eligibility Criteria

Adults 18 or older, are eligible if they are overweight, have medical clearance and have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Pre-diabetes (diagnosed by A1C, fasting plasma glucose, or oral glucose tolerance test)
• High blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high triglycerides
• Had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

People who have completed this program gain confidence and learn new life skills. This year-long program consists of 1-hour group classes offered weekly then transitions to monthly. You will learn how to make better food choices, be more active, and manage stress and other challenges to help you lose weight and feel better.

• Prediabetes What is it and What Can I Do?

An estimated 54,000 Montanans have prediabetes, but it is manageable and reversible.

Find out if you are at risk by taking this quick quiz.

About 88 million American adults have prediabetes, putting them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 84% don't know they have it. The original Diabetes Prevention Program study showed a 58% reduction in the incidence rate of diabetes in those who participated in the lifestyle change program. Based on strong evidence of effectiveness in reducing new-onset diabetes, the   Community Preventive Services Task Force  now recommends programs like the National DPP's lifestyle change program.

• This proven program can help people with prediabetes and/or at risk for type 2 diabetes make achievable and realistic lifestyle changes.
• Participation in this program also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and its complications. 
• The lifestyle change program is a year-long program that begins with weekly sessions that transition to monthly sessions with trained lifestyle coaches who empower participants to take charge of their health. 
• Clinicians are encouraged to identify high risk persons in their practice and refer these persons to a Diabetes Prevention Program to take advantage of this preventive service.
• Access a   sample medical clearance   form to refer your patient.
• Click here to use the toolkit created by the AMA and CDC to help your practice screen, test, and refer patients to the DPP.
• The 2020 Montana Provider Prediabetes Awareness Survey.