Diabetes resources offered by Deschutes County

Deschutes County Health Services recognizes November, American Diabetes Month, as an excellent opportunity to increase diabetes awareness.

86 million people — or 1 in 3 American adults — have prediabetes. But, most people who have prediabetes don’t know they have it. Are you at risk? You may have prediabetes if you:

Are 45 years of age or older

Are overweight Have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes Have high blood pressure

Having prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels.

The good news is that people at risk for diabetes can take action now to make a difference. Adding physical activity and healthy eating to achieve a modest amount of weight loss can reduce risk of diabetes by more than 50%. Deschutes County’s free Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): Prevent T2 can help adults with prediabetes work towards these goals.

“Diabetes affects around one in every 20 adults in Deschutes County,” said Deschutes County Healthy Communities Coordinator Sarah Worthington. “Our prevention and disease management programs are great resources for reducing risk and complications.”

How does it work?

Participants will work with a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills they will need to make lasting lifestyle changes. Participants learn to eat healthy, add physical activity to their lives, manage stress, stay motivated and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes.

The program lasts one year, with 16 sessions taking place about once a week and eight or more sessions meeting every two to three weeks. The group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together, participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.

When are classes available?

Deschutes County Health Services has partnered with the Council on Aging of Central Oregon, Crook County Health Department, La Pine Community Health Center, Mosaic Medical, and St. Charles Health System to bring DPP: Prevent T2 to Central Oregon. The Central Oregon Diabetes Prevention Program was launched in Redmond in January 2016 .

Now, thanks to funding from the Central Oregon Health Council, DPP: Prevent T2 is also being offered in Prineville, Madras, La Pine and Bend. New workshops are planned for Redmond and Bend in January 2017 . For more information about the program, please contact Sarah Worthington, Healthy Communities Coordinator, at 541-322-7446 .

Want to learn more?

For more information about diabetes in Deschutes County, click here , to read Deschutes County Health Services’ new newsletter.

About Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic disease in which blood sugar levels are above normal. Diabetes can cause health complications including blindness, kidney failure and amputations of the lower limbs. The most common types of diabetes include:

· Type 1 Diabetes – Previously called “juvenile-onset diabetes,” it accounts for around 5 percent of diabetes cases.

· Type 2 Diabetes – Previously called adult-onset diabetes,” it accounts for the majority (around 90-95 percent) of diabetes cases.

· Gestational Diabetes – Gestational diabetes occurs in some pregnant women. It develops in around 5 percent of all pregnancies and can cause problems for pregnant women and their babies. It can also increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.