University of Kentucky Diabetes Prevention Program Collaborative

In the state of Kentucky 1 in 3 adults have diagnosed (and undiagnosed) prediabetes. Scott County Kentucky is not an exception to the growing number of individuals living with chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Beyond Kentucky, many regions across the United States are finding challenges in reaching vulnerable populations who are more susceptible to chronic illnesses. Novel educational opportunities are needed to reach more individuals and families who are at risk of developing diabetes. With the increased need for diabetes education in mind, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent in Scott County worked with the University of Kentucky (UK) FCS Extension Department and UK Health Care to provide a year long program addressing the growing need for diabetes prevention and Education. The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) has research backing the effectiveness of the program; therefore, it was used to accomplish the goal of diabetes prevention and education. 

The DPP Program was presented in Scott County following the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is designed to provide individuals who are “at risk” of developing type 2 diabetes and who meet other certain nationally set criteria, with tools and education in an effort to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. 

The program took place over the course of a year. Participants met weekly with the Scott County Extension FCS Agent for serval months, followed by every two weeks, and then monthly for the last couple of months of the program. During each of these class sessions participants took place in activities, discussions, and built a supportive network. The program also provided the participants with reinforcement items such as fitness trackers and cooking tools to help them achieve their goals when applying what they learned at home. Each participant set personal goals, tracked their physical activity, and kept a food journal. The weekly activities helped the participants to better understand their personal habits and allowed them to set goals that were applicable to them as an individual. 

The program, reinforcement items, and materials were made available through grant funding. The grant also helped to increase the number of DPP instructors/suppliers in Kentucky and established a partnership between the clinical community (UK Health Care) and the Cooperative Extension, utilizing a proof – to – concept model. 

7 Participants graduated from the Diabetes Prevention Program in Scott County. The National Diabetes Prevention Program sets a goal for participants to show weight loss during the program, the goal being 7%. About 72% of participants in Scott County met this goal. Participants also actively demonstrated their gained knowledge by discussing how they were now looking at food label, that they felt that they had more energy, and that their A1C had improved. Other participants noted that the group made them feel like they were not alone and that they felt more confident in their personal health goals. 

In addition to the significant impacts to participant health. The program also demonstrated the benefits of a multifaceted team to support program delivery. With a differentiated approach with multiple subject matter experts, the program was able to be maintained beyond the initial grant. The Scott County FCS Agent plans to continue a diabetes prevention and support group. 

Acknowledgement: 

This project was supported by funds from United HealthCare Services, Inc. on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (“UnitedHealthcare”).  All research content and conclusions are solely the responsibility of the University of Kentucky Research Foundation on behalf of UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center and does not necessarily represent the official views of the UnitedHealthcare.