Diabetes
The Durham County Department of Public Health offers a number of programs to support individuals at risk of and impacted by diabetes. These resources are offered through staff in our Health Education and Nutrition teams. Read below to learn more about different programs that might be useful to individuals and organizations in the Durham community.
Diabetes Support Group
A monthly support group dedicated to providing understanding, encouragement, and resources to people living with diabetes. The group meets monthly on fourth Tuesdays from 6:00pm-7:00pm.
To register, fill out this interest form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDInterestWeb)
Audience: residents with pre-diabetes, diabetes, support and caregivers
For more information, call (919) 560-7223.
Living Healthy With Diabetes
The Diabetes Self-Management Program is an evidence-based interactive program that focuses on skill-building activities that help people with diabetes become more confident in their ability to manage their condition. The workshop meets two hours weekly for six weeks and can be offered both virtually or in-person. Community organizations are welcome to host the workshop series.
To register, fill out this interest form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDInterestWeb)
Audience: residents with pre-diabetes, diabetes, support and caregivers (Medical referral is not required.)
Cost: Free
For more information or to register, call (919) 560-7223.
What’s the 411 in Diabetes
A virtual or in-person workshop offered quarterly to provide education and resources for those with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Each event pairs diabetes with relevant topics and are typically delivered by health care professionals.
Cost: Free
For more information, call (919) 560-7223.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
Whether you’re just learning about a new diagnosis or life changes have made managing your diabetes more difficult, we’re here to help. Taking Care with Diabetes is a Diabetes Self Management Education and Support program that offers comprehensive education proven as effective at lowering blood glucose levels as some medications. Join our American Diabetes Association-recognized program as we cover topics such as nutrition, physical activity, medication, prevention of complications, and healthy coping.
For more information, contact the Nutrition Clinic at (919) 560-7791.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The North Carolina Minority Diabetes Prevention Program (NC MDPP) is a year-long diabetes prevention program. Funding provided by the NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities allows participating counties to offer incentives and support to help participants achieve weight loss goals and lower A1C levels. This is a commitment to change for a healthier you!
What Makes Me Eligible?
Have you been told your A1C is high, that you're at risk for Type 2 Diabetes or that you have prediabetes? If so, then you are the person that can benefit from this program.
Unsure about your risk? Take the CDC screening tool to learn more about your risk level or consult with your primary health care provider. We can assist you in getting access to the screening tool and completing it.
Factors that often make you at risk of diabetes are:
- Being overweight
- Age 45 or older
- Family history of Type 2 Diabetes
- Sedentary lifestyle or very little daily physical activities
- Having diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)
- Having high blood pressure and being of one of the following ethnic backgrounds: African American, Hispanic, Latino, American Indian, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans
Others can be impacted by diabetes as well; the list above highlights key factors that can increase a person's risk of developing diabetes.
Your Lifestyle Change Starts Today!
With the support of your trained lifestyle coach, you will learn about healthy eating, meal planning, the impact of physical activity on your health and much more. The goal of the program is to help you achieve weight loss of 5-7% and ultimately prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. The program has two phases: The Intensive Phase where you meet weekly for 16 weeks before transitioning to biweekly sessions, followed by the Maintenance Phase, which includes monthly meetings and check-ins for the final 6 months.
Program Impact…Getting Results!
Past cohorts have formed walking groups and many continue to meet at the park and in the community to encourage continued weight loss or sustain the changes they have made after the completion of this program.
Incentives offered via this program are based on the availability of funding. All promote sustainable change such as weights to do minor physical activity at home or while walking, fitness tracker to help monitor your goals and activity, cooking equipment that promotes healthier meal prep options and much more.
Durham County Department of Public Health has offered this program for more than 5 years. Previous participants completed the year long program with 60-70 % achieving weight loss of 5-7% and others still having significant changes in their weight and positive health outcomes. Sustainability of these changes are supported through the changed mindset of each participant as you learn how to eat healthy at home and in the community so that you can still enjoy some of the meals you love.
Learn More and Sign Up!
For more information, please reach out to the Chronic Care Initiative Program Manager Quanesha Archer at (919) 560-7098 or via email at qmarcher@dconc.gov
Ready to sign up? You can also reach out to our Lifestyle Coaches:
Edith Slack (for classes in Spanish) at edslack@dconc.gov or (919) 560-7117 and Maryedith Ramirez-Torres (for classes in English) at mrtorres@dconc.gov or (919) 560-7995.