Telephone-based CDC program offered to prevent Type 2 diabetes

April 21, 2021

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is promoting a free telephone-based program that emphasizes weight loss and increased activity as a means to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the program, which is geared to individuals who have prediabetes or are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include being overweight, being physically active less than three times a week or receiving a prior diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Fairbanks Extension agent Leslie Shallcross offers a group version of the program by Zoom but also works with InquisitHealth, a company that offers a telephone-based program with a trained mentor. Participants will receive a digital scale, program materials and a full year of one-on-one telephone support from the mentor.

Shallcross said the telephone program provides another option to individuals with prediabetes who have limited mobility or who may prefer one-on-one support instead of a group. Both versions of the program help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by more than half, she said.

“The program works,” said Shallcross, a registered dietician.

InquisitHealth is a national provider of peer-to-peer health education that has been endorsed by the CDC. This free program is funded by the CDC to make diabetes prevention programs available to rural and underserved communities. For more information or to register, contact Shallcross at 474-2426, email lashallcross@alaska.edu or text HEALTH to 600400.