Powell Valley Healthcare is starting its second Prevent T2 program to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The program is designed for anyone concerned about developing diabetes, with a history of gestational diabetes or who already knows they have pre-diabetes.

The program begins Tuesday, Sept. 7, and sessions run from 5:30-6:30 p.m. PVHC lifestyle coaches Tina Braet-Thomas and Mary Neil will lead the program.

Braet-Thomas is a registered dietitian, certified diabetic care and education specialist and certified lifestyle coach. Neil is a registered dietitian and certified lifestyle coach. They will partner with Northwest College to offer the program at the NWC’s Trapper West Campus, 1397 Fort Drum Dr.

For those wanting to learn more about the program, Braet-Thomas and Neil will host a free lunch and learn at the Trapper West Campus on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at noon. Call 307-754-1104 to register.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Prevent T2 program is an evidence-based diabetes prevention program with proven results. The program can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%; for those over 60 years old, it can reduce the risk by 71%. The program involves a one-year commitment, and the diabetic educators provide support throughout the year to help reach personal goals and stop the onset of diabetes.

The Prevent T2 program focuses on lifestyle changes and helps people find ways to increase physical activity, decrease caloric intake and reduce their total body weight by a minimum of 5-7%.

“Our first group of participants finished their year’s journey this past June with amazing results,” said Braet-Thomas. “Between all of our folks, they lost 171 pounds! That’s a whole person! As a group, they increased their physical activity by 603 minutes a week.”

The diabetes prevention program proves that lifestyle changes work effectively, PVHC officials said.

According to the CDC, over 30 million people in the U.S. currently have diabetes and another 86 million people have pre-diabetes, most without knowing it. 

Anyone over age 45 is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the risk increases with age. You are also at risk if you have someone in your family who has or had diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes or who had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth are at risk. Additionally, anyone who has a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity or who is overweight is at risk of developing diabetes.

A Wyoming Department of Health survey found that 9% of people have been told by their doctor that they have diabetes.

If you think you might have pre-diabetes or would like to learn more about the Prevent T2 program, call Braet-Thomas at 307-754-2267, extension 3604.