National Diabetes Prevention Program
Live Healthier
Tailored to the unique needs of people at high risk for diabetes and recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PreventionLink’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, or NDPP, is a forward-thinking lifestyle change program that focuses on:
- Life skills
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Health education
Led by skilled lifestyle coaches, the program arms participants with leading strategies and techniques to live a healthier life in as little as 26 weeks.
Research has shown that this program prevents or delays Type 2 diabetes and lowers the risk of heart attack or stroke.
How the Program Works
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a 26-week interactive program. Lauded nationally, the program has been proven to cut the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 50% and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
PreventionLink’s DPP classes are held in a group setting and address a wide range of participant needs.
Using a research-based curriculum filled with proven strategies, trained lifestyle coaches cover topics such as exercise and physical activity, healthy eating and weight loss, and how to manage stress and stay motivated.
Throughout the program, participants are supported by their primary care provider and lifestyle coach to reach their personal health goals.
Participants may also be assigned to a community health worker who will provide one-on-one support to help them live healthier lives and remove any barriers preventing them from accessing the quality of care they deserve. Additional benefits of the program include, but are not limited to:
- Connections to medication assistance programs that may help lower drug costs
- One-on-one support to better understand and successfully complete the program
- Tips on how to add healthy eating habits and exercise to their everyday routine
- Education and tips to better understand, manage, and prevent heart disease
- An expert review of their medications and a personalized medication schedule created so that they know they are taking their medicines on time and correctly
Participate in the Program
Southern Maryland residents interested in learning how to make lifestyle changes to help them take better control of their blood sugar, improve their diet, and reduce their risk for developing diabetes and its complications.
- Costs: DPP is free to eligible participants.
- Program Delivery Methods: Live, interactive sessions are held in-person and through online video links accessible via your computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must meet ALL 4 of these requirements:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (23 or higher if you're an Asian American person)
- Not be previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Not be pregnant
Participants need to meet 1 of these requirements:
1. Had a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year (includes any of these tests and results):
- Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7%–6.4%
- Fasting plasma glucose: 100–125 mg/dL
- 2-hour plasma glucose (after a 75g glucose load): 140–199 mg/dL.
2. Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
3. Received a high-risk result (score of 5 or higher) on the Prediabetes Risk Test.