AHEC West is offering a free lifestyle-management program designed to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Conducted through the Mountain Health Alliance, t
he weekly, hour-long Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPP) will kick off in early September in Cumberland and Lonaconing.
The DPP sessions continue for 16 weeks, followed by six
once-per-month follow-up meetings.
The roughly year-long program requires only 22 total hours of participation.
In Cumberland, the sessions will be held 10 a.m. Thursdays at the Salvation Army beginning Sept. 6. Georges Creek Library will host the Lonaoconing sessions, which will be held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. beginning Sept. 5.
Additional DPP classes are being planned at other locations around Allegany County.
Conducted in cooperation with the Western Maryland Health System and the Allegany County Health Department, the AHEC West DPP focuses on lifestyle changes such as proper diet, regular exercise, and stress management that have been shown to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
"With DPP we review modest lifestyle changes like eating better, incorporating activity and movement into daily lives, and managing stress
," said Catie Wampole, Network Director of the Mountain Health Alliance at AHEC West. "It's a supportive environment that brings people together to overcome obstacles and celebrate successes."
Designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the DPP initiative is a proven approach to preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes with the support of trained lifestyle coaches.
For more information about the DPP program contact Catie Wampole at AHEC West, 240-362-7715 or by email at
cwampole@ahecwest.org.
