Participation in Federally Funded Diabetes Prevention Program Surprisingly Low

Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute Corporate Vice President Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD, said she was surprised to learn that a 6-year-old federal program to help people with pre-diabetes avoid developing the condition has enrolled only a tiny portion of the 16 million Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for the program. 

The Scripps Clinic endocrinologist recently told MedPage Today that about 20 to 30 Medicare beneficiaries in San Diego County enroll in the program each year through the Scripps institute. 

The national program, which is led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and open to anyone who qualifies (not just those on Medicare), incorporates trained lifestyle coaches, support groups and a year of weekly and semi-monthly sessions to teach behavior changes that help participants lose 5% to 7% of their body weight and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.