We are pleased to announce AHI is one of 25 organizations in the state to receive new grant funding from the New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) to expand diabetes prevention efforts. The funding will help AHI implement and expand the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP), an initiative that focuses on lifestyle changes to improve healthy eating and physical activity.
In New York State, an estimated 4.5 million people have prediabetes, a condition which heightens a person’s risk for developing diabetes and its complications. While curbing the diabetes epidemic is a daunting task, strong evidence has emerged in support of strategies to prevent diabetes. Specifically, the NDPP was identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an effective, evidence-based public health program. This lifestyle intervention has been shown to help participants lose 5–7% of their body weight and reduce their risk of developing diabetes by nearly 60%.
Through the “Laying the Groundwork to Scale Up the National Diabetes Prevention Program in New York State” initiative, NYSHealth have awarded grants to organizations to implement, expand, and secure the sustainability of the NDPP in community-based settings across the State. NYSHealth awarded AHI a grant to participate in this initiative.
With NYSHealth funding, grantees of this initiative will reach communities with high rates of diabetes and prediabetes, making this effective program available to New Yorkers in places where they live, work, and worship. The grant awards will support a range of activities to help organizations implement and grow the NDPP, including the expansion of existing programs; communication, outreach, and education activities to obtain a steady flow of participants; and development of business plans to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Specifically, AHI seeks to train up to seven lifestyle coaches to deliver the NDPP at worksite wellness programs in four organizations serving the Adirondack region. AHI will offer 10 NDPP cycles, enrolling a total of 150 participants. We will conduct communication, outreach, and education activities to obtain a steady flow of referrals.
