Healthy Weight

Giving Diabetes the Boot

In April, the Well-Ahead Louisiana Diabetes Program worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors to host a diabetes prevention state engagement meeting in Baton Rouge.

The first day of the meeting served as an educational session that focused on raising awareness of prediabetes and the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).  There were four topic areas related to prediabetes and diabetes prevention programs: 1) increasing awareness of prediabetes in Louisiana communities, 2) increasing the number of diabetes prevention programs in Louisiana, 3) increasing coverage (reimbursement) for such programs, and 4) increasing the number of healthcare providers that screen for prediabetes and then refer people with prediabetes to diabetes prevention programs.   The first day was filled with national and state level presenters with over 100 stakeholders in attendance.  The evaluation of the meeting was overwhelmingly positive. 

The second day served as an action planning session.  Participants broke into four work groups with each group drafting goals and activities for one of the four topic areas listed above.  The notes from these sessions were used to draft an Action Plan to Reduce Diabetes in Louisiana. Going forward, this Action Plan will inform the activities of the Well-Ahead Louisiana Diabetes Program and the Louisiana Diabetes Collaborative.  This Action Plan is extremely valuable because it uses the opinions, experiences and visions of key Louisiana diabtese stakeholders. 

In September, Well-Ahead will host an event to unveil the Action Plan. All attendees will be invited to join. 

• According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.27 million adults in Louisiana have prediabetes, although 9 out of 10 aren’t aware of their diagnosis.
• The CDC estimates that if someone with prediabetes attends a diabetes prevention program (DPP) and makes healthier lifestyle choices as a result, they can cut their risk of developing diabetes in half.
• Louisiana’s rate of diabetes places us 5^th in the nation – only 4 states have a higher prevalence rate!

Moving Louisiana’s Health Forward

The Well-Ahead Diabetes Program works to increase awareness of and access to Diabetes Prevention Programs and Diabetes Self-Management and Education Programs across the state.  There are currently eight diabetes prevention programs in Louisiana.  Within the next year, we hope to double that!  WellSpots raise awareness of prediabetes and diabetes among their employees by promoting the prediabetes risk test.  WellSpots also  encourage employees to attend a health screenings and talk to their healthcare provider about prediabetes.  Are you passionate about diabetes prevention? Partner with us to move Louisiana’s health forward! Email wellahead@la.gov to learn more.  Together, we can prevent diabetes.