Monday, September 8, 2014

Lifestyle Change programs for individuals with diabetes and prediabetes are cost effective

“The average medical expenditures among people diagnosed with diabetes were 2.3 times higher than people without diabetes, according to the 2014 National Diabetes Statistics Report.

A recent study conducted at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that participants who were assigned to an intensive lifestyle change program focused on diet and exercise experienced statistically significant average savings compared to individuals assigned to a standard diabetes support program. Financial savings stemmed from fewer hospitalizations, shorter hospital stays, and a reduction in prescription medication usage.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force released an evidence-based recommendation in favor of programs that actively encourage those at increased risk for type 2 diabetes to eat healthier and be more physically active. The Task Force also concluded from the economic evidence that combined diet and physical activity promotion programs to prevent type 2 diabetes among people at increased risk are cost-effective.

The CDC-led lifestyle change program is the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Currently in Colorado there are over 20 recognized programs. For more information on the Diabetes Prevention Program in Colorado, please visit our informational website.” [Source: COPrevent]

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