It’s called the “Minority Diabetes Prevention Program” and it’s a program that covers nine counties in central North Carolina, including Guilford County.
It is primarily run out of Alamance County’s Health Department – though it’s meant to benefit minorities living in nine central North Carolina counties.
State and local health officials hope the program will inform minority residents in the coverage area about the dangers of diabetes and teach them lifestyle habits and other methods to avoid developing the disease.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners plans to approve Guilford County’s participation in the initiative on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the board’s regular meeting.
According to a description of the plan, “Quantitatively, the program aims to engage a significant number of individuals from diverse minority communities across the nine counties, with comprehensive strategies to screen and refer these individuals to diabetes prevention classes. Qualitatively, the program emphasizes culturally relevant approaches and tailored interventions to effectively engage minority populations, thus enhancing the likelihood of successful participation and outcomes.”
It’s not clear from the documentation what types of “culturally relevant approaches” will be deployed.
According to agenda documents supporting the move for the Board of Commissioners October 17 meeting, the exclusivity of having Alamance County control the program will allow supporters “to coordinate effectively across the nine-county region, ensuring that resources and services are directed to minority populations at risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes.”
The nine counties taking part are Guilford, Chatham, Rockingham, Durham, Alamance, Orange, Caswell, Person and Randolph.
The program is multifaceted and it includes diabetes awareness campaigns directed at minorities and community screenings in areas largely populated by minorities. Those who need help may be referred to “lifestyle classes, and self-management education, creating a comprehensive support system for participants.”
With a multi-pronged and highly structured approach, the Minority Diabetes Prevention Program will work to bring down the number of diabetes cases in minority communities in the counties where the program operates.
Part of the initiative will focus on the need for exercise among minorities and encourage participants to make healthy food choices and it will teach them which foods may likely lead to diabetes.
The Guilford County Division of Public Health has been awarded funds of $11,643 to do things like screen minority communities for diabetes – and offer educational programs as well as “active living classes” for those who need them as part of the nine-county program.
At their October 17 meeting, the commissioners will approve an inter-local agreement between DHHS-Public Health and the Alamance County Department of Public Health for the amount of $11,643 as part of the one-year contract for “the purposes of diabetes prevention programs for historically under-served populations.”
I pay taxes. So why is the diabetes prevention program not for everyone?
It’s pretty simple. Stop eating all that crappy food. That means no Doritos. Get some exercise every day.
You cannot prevent type 1.
Crappy food: white flour, processed sugar, potatoes, white rice. ANYTHING that includes these items.
My goodness, Miller, you are describing my diet.
I am interested how do I become a candidate
Being a female woman of colour would help.