The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is continuing to serve residents of Greenville County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This year-long program focuses on preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through healthy lifestyle changes like healthy eating and physical activity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DPP has transitioned to virtual delivery. To date, all cohorts that began DPP in-person have transitioned to virtual delivery, either by phone or over Zoom. DPP has also begun new groups and these groups will participate virtually for the duration of the year-long program. The program has applied for recognition status for virtual delivery from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recognition status from the CDC would allow our DPP to show its effectiveness with program quality and outcomes. To further aid all participants in achieving their goals for the program, participants continue to receive weekly one-on-one conversations with the DPP Lifestyle Coach (Rural Health Agent) delivering the program through phone calls, text messaging, or emails.
Submitted by: Melissa Bales, Heath Extension Agent
