KentuckyOne Health announces diabetes prevention program in Central Kentucky

KentuckyOne Health is launching a program to prevent Type 2 diabetes in Central Kentucky. The year-long program is modeled after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program “designed for individuals at high risk for Type 2 diabetes and is proven to help people lose weight and lower their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent,” KentuckyOne said in a news release.

Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and it is “estimated that more than 14 percent of Kentuckians suffer from this chronic condition, which can also lead to heart disease, stroke, amputation, end-stage kidney disease, blindness and death,” the release said.

KentuckyOne recommends the program to those who meet any two of the following criteria:
• 18 years or older
• Elevated blood sugar
• Diagnosed with pre-diabetes or gestational diabetes
• Overweight

Informational sessions are being held to provide “details of the 16-week course and the following monthly meetings” to help interested people decide if the course is right for them. Trained lifestyle coaches are leading the group meetings, teaching how to make healthy lifestyle choices.

An introductory session will be held Thursday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. in the Medical Office Building at Saint Joseph East, located at 160 Eagle Creek Drive. One will be held in Berea Thursday, Sept. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at Saint Joseph Berea, 305 Estill Street, in the Education Suite on the fourth floor.

To enroll or get more information, call 859-31-2595 or visit KentuckyOneHealth.org/dpp. A physician referral is preferred, but not required to participate. Space is limited.