According to Kentucky Health Facts, 57% of Ohio County is overweight, 29% are obese, 28% smoke and only 17% get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables in their diet. These health factors increase the risk of an individual developing type 2 diabetes. Research shows that diabetes can be prevented 58% of the time through lifestyle change. To address these issues, the Ohio County Extension collaborated with Perdue Farms, Ohio County Health Coalition and OC Monitor developed a diabetes prevention program, called “Prevent T2”.

At-risk pre-diabetes employees, identified thru the Perdue Wellness Program, were encouraged to join the “Prevent T2” program. With 80 Perdue Farms employees currently enrolled in the program. 

Participants are provided educational videos and support through a closed Facebook group. Videos focus on eating healthier, exercising, shopping smarter, healthier sleep habits, managing stress, and heart health, while also including healthy recipe preparation demonstrations. This allows participants to view videos at their convenience. Employees were provided face-to-face checkups, lesson materials, and program incentives, from the Perdue Wellness Program. 

After 6 months, of the one year program, participants have seen dramatic improvements in health already, as measured by:

• A total of 284 pounds lost by participants.
• Hypertension has dropped from 14% to 12%.
• Diabetes/ Pre-Diabetes has dropped from 34% to 27%.
• Smoking has dropped from 27% to 20%.