Diabetes is a sneaky disease, with many people developing it without even realizing it. But there are ways you can tell if you’re at risk, as St. Tammany Health System Diabetes Education Coordinator Terry Compton says in this short video about diabetes, its potential effects and how you can keep it in check.
COVINGTON — With an estimated one in three American adults living with prediabetes, St. Tammany Health System’s Diabetes Education Department has announced a new initiative aimed at helping patients reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
The PreventT2 program, as it is called, is designed for adults who have been diagnosed with prediabetes or who are at increased risk for developing the condition. PreventT2 focuses on sustainable lifestyle changes shown to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
The first session is scheduled for Jan. 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Covington (16333 Louisiana 1085).
PreventT2 is a yearlong program built on a curriculum approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and led by a trained lifestyle coach. Participants meet weekly during the first six months, followed by once- or twice-monthly sessions during the second half of the program.
The program emphasizes gradual weight loss, increased physical activity and stress reduction, while also offering peer support as participants learn practical skills to improve their long-term health.
As part of the initiative, community members are encouraged to take a prediabetes risk assessment – which can be found at StTammany.health/DiabetesED – to determine whether they may benefit from the program.
For more information or to enroll, call the STHS Diabetes Education Department at (985) 871-5983.
