The National Diabetes Prevention Program: From Research to Reality

Abstract

The significant rise and projected trends in the incidence of type 2 diabetes argue for a concerted effort on prevention. The strongest currently available evidence for diabetes prevention involves people at high risk for type 2 diabetes (i.e., those with prediabetes). Randomized, controlled trials and translation studies have demonstrated that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through a structured lifestyle intervention that can be delivered cost-effectively in a variety of settings. For the first time in the United States, a coordinated, focused effort is underway to bring this effective and cost-conscious lifestyle intervention to communities across the country to ultimately reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Figure 1

Prevention of type 2 diabetes: the community-clinic model. Elements in the clinical component are adapted from the Chronic Care Model, MacColl Institute for Healthcare Innovation. The elements listed in the figure are not intended to be all-inclusive but to provide information on the types of elements contributed by each sector and shared across sectors. Provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation.

Figure 2

Summary of the four core elements of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation.