Houston Healthcare's National Diabetes Prevention Program Earns Recognition from the CDC

Houston Healthcare recently earned Recognition PLUS status from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its national diabetes prevention program. This designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered a quality, evidence-based program that meets all the standards for CDC recognition and additional retention thresholds. All participants who have completed the program through Houston Healthcare's EduCare department have decreased their Hbg A1C from the pre-diabetic range to normal levels by applying the interventions learned.

“When participants have a clear WHY and see the improvements in their lab values, they are motivated to continue discovering wellness tools that work for them,” states Jenni Russ, RN, Chronic Disease Educator with Houston Healthcare’s EduCare program. “I recently saw a group participant from last year’s graduating class while out shopping. His grocery cart was full of healthy food options. He is still using what he learned from the program to keep his numbers on track.”

In 2010, the CDC developed a research-based program to address the growing concerns of diabetes. The National Diabetes Prevention Program showed that people with pre-diabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program could cut their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. That increases to 71 percent for people over the age of 60. In addition, this program showed to be almost twice as effective as Metformin at preventing or delaying diabetes – making it a cost-effective and accessible option to all populations.

“You and your colleagues should be extremely proud of this accomplishment. It is programs like yours that are turning the tide in the fight against the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes. Thank you for all that you are doing and for your commitment to reducing the preventable burden of diabetes in the U.S.,” says Miriam T. Bell, MPH, Team Lead for the National Diabetes Prevention Program for the CDC.

According to the Houston County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA 2020), the incidence of diabetes in Houston County is 17.3 percent, with 10.3 percent stating their primary care physician has diagnosed them as “pre-diabetic.” The need for health promotion has become even more evident in preventing disease and illness in recent years. Diabetes alone accounts for one in seven healthcare dollars spent treating this chronic disease and its complications.

Houston Healthcare’s EduCare department offers multiple options for diabetes prevention and diabetes education. For more information, call (478) 923-9771.