Diabetes and Primary Prevention

Diabetes Prevention Is Proven, Possible and Powerful.

More than 18 million Americans have diabetes, and another 41 million have pre-diabetes. The good news about diabetes is that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in people at risk for the disease through moderate changes in lifestyle.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, found that people at high risk for diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease with 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week, and by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. The key is small steps that lead to big rewards. These small steps need to be taken at home and at work.

Primary Prevention: A Sound Business Investment

With employees spending one-third to one-half of their day on the job and health care costs continuing to rise, it makes sound business sense to invest in Primary Prevention programs at the worksite. Helping employees who may have pre-diabetes reduce their risk for or delay the onset of diabetes can help a company:

1. Improve productivity. Primary prevention is an investment in human capital. Employees are more likely to be at work and performing well when they are in optimal physical and psychological health.
2. Lower health care costs. Employees who are medically high risk employees are medically high-cost employees because they generate higher claim costs than their low-risk peers. (Ref: Healthy Workforce 2010 by Partners for a Healthy Workforce)
3. Reduce an employee's risks for heart disease. Many people with diabetes also have or are at risk for heart disease including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke. Helping employees prevent or delay the onset of diabetes will also help them to reduce their risks for heart disease.

Primary Prevention: Small Steps Big Rewards - Get Your Company Started Today!

Learn more about your employees' risks for type 2 diabetes and the steps your company can take to help employees lead healthier lives and be more productive and healthier employees.

Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Are you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes? Find out more about the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and what you can to do to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. You'll also learn about the condition called "pre-diabetes," which puts people at high risk for diabetes.

Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes GAME PLAN Overview Get into the diabetes prevention game. Learn about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and how to start your GAME PLAN to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. Get tips on how to set goals, track your progress, start a walking program, and where to get more help.

GAME PLAN Food and Activity Tracker One of the most successful techniques for losing weight is to write down everything you eat and drink and to figure out how many calories and fat grams you consume every day. Use this tracker to record your food and drink intake, as well as the time you spend on physical activity. Print out copies of the tracker and put them in your purse or pocket. Keeping track of your progress will help you reach your weight loss and activity goals.

GAME PLAN Fat and Calorie Counter Use this counter to look up the number of calories and fat grams in the foods and drinks you consume each day. This counter lists hundreds of food items, including restaurant, ethnic, and regional foods.

Prevengamos la diabetes tipo 2. Paso a Paso If you are overweight and a Hispanic or Latino American, you are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Find out more about how you can prevent diabetes.

More than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes Tip Sheet If you're African American and overweight, you have a high risk of getting diabetes. But the good news is that there are more than 50 ways to prevent diabetes.

Two Reasons I Find Time to Prevent Diabetes: My Future and Theirs Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are overweight are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Find out about your risk and the steps you can take to prevent diabetes.for you and your family. These tip sheets are available in English, Cambodian, Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Filipino, Thai and Vietnamese.

• Languages available:
  • Cambodian
  • Chinese
  • Hmong
  • Korean
  • Tagalog
  • Thai
  • Vietnamese

It's Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes. Take Your First Step Today. As you get older, your risk for diabetes increases. The good news is that it's not too late to prevent diabetes. Use these tips to find new ways to get moving, have fun, and prevent diabetes.

Additional Resources

Healthy Workforce 2010: An Essential Health Promotion Sourcebook for Employers, Large and Small
This sourcebook helps companies, large and small, get started in health promotion. (Link directly to the guide)

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
Take a look at all of the additional resources the NIDDK has to offer.

Diabetes Prevention Program Study Web Site
This website contains information for people interested in the research aspects of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) clinical trial, the study that proved type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed.

Diabetes Prevention Program Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial.

Small Step.gov
Preventing diabetes is all about losing a small amount of weight and being more active. Get more ideas and tips to help you reach your weight loss goals.

Information About Pre-Diabetes
This link to the American Diabetes Association's Web site provides additional information about pre-diabetes, including a risk quiz and frequently asked questions about diabetes prevention.

Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Campaign.
Find out more about the first national diabetes prevention campaign.