State agency begins program to prevent type 2 diabetes

Diabetes affects nearly 26 million Americans and an estimated 79 million adults are at risk for developing the disease. 

In Montana, diabetes affects more than 62,000 adults. It is estimated that 270,000 adult Montanans have pre-diabetes, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or onset delayed by lifestyle changes.

The Montana Diabetes Project and National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) are changing the way diabetes is treated by working together to help people better understand how to make the necessary changes in their day-to-day life in order to prevent type 2 diabetes or manage their diabetes to prevent complications, and live healthier lives.

“Even if you know what to do to improve your health, figuring out how to do it and fitting it into your daily routine can be a big challenge,” said Anna Whiting Sorrell, Director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. “That’s why it’s important to set goals and make a plan to prevent type 2 diabetes or manage diabetes to prevent complications.”

The Montana Diabetes Project is working with diabetes educators and the NDEP to help people make a change to live well by bringing behavior change tools to the community—tools to help people better understand how to make healthy changes in their day-to-day life. 

 So how do Montanans get started making these healthy changes? According to Sarah Brokaw of the Montana Diabetes Project, it’s about choosing a goal and working toward it. The NDEP’s “Make a Plan” is a great tool that can help and is available at www.diabetes.mt.gov

“Once a plan is in place, the NDEP provides a number of tools to help people reach their goals,” Brokaw said. “Whether it’s to eat healthier, be more active, lose weight, or cope better with stress and emotions, the NDEP offers tools and resources to help.”

For more personalized assistance, people may go online to www.diabetes.mt.gov.

For those at risk for type 2 diabetes, the Montana Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Prevention Program is a 10-month program available at 15 sites across Montana and at several telehealth sites in southeast Montana. This evidence-based program has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes by 58 percent and improve lives through simple lifestyle changes.