Health

Dept. Of Health To Launch Diabetes Prevention Program On April 5

ST. CROIX -- On April 5, the Department of Health (D.O.H.) will commence a program aimed at preventing the spread of diabetes type 2 on St. Croix, D.O.H. announced this week. Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants will learn the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress, the department said. People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels — are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels, according to D.OH. In fact, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 3 years if they do not take steps to prevent it. “One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Chronic Disease Director, Kathleen Arnold-Lewis. “The National Diabetes Prevention Program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes ...