The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a series of sessions over the course of a year.  Trained Lifestyle Coaches work with participants to optimize behavior change, to help them work towards a goal of 5-7% weight loss and a goal of 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Coaches use strategies that focus on self-monitoring of diet and physical activity, building social support for maintaining lifestyle changes, etc. The local DPP is a collaborative effort of Person County Health Department and NC Cooperative Extension.

Individuals ages 18+, with a BMI of 25 or higher, who are prediabetic (determined by a blood test or risk test), or who had gestational diabetes may be eligible for the DPP.

Lifestyle changes in DPP participants often result in weight loss, increased physical activity, increased mindfulness about behaviors, reduced AIC levels, etc.

See the 2023 Person County SOTCH Report for progress in 2023. Go to www.personcountync.gov (to find the Health Department's page and this report). 

In May 2024, the DPP's seventh cohort concluded with 11 participants. The eighth cohort started in July with nine participants and will end in June 2025.  Efforts to recruit participants for the eighth cohort included a Community Screening Event (offering free A1C testing, BMI measurements, a diabetes risk test, and testimonials from former participants), Facebook postings, newspaper ads, radio ads, church bulletin inserts, and information sessions.