Diabetes rates in Macomb County have steadily been rising over the last decade. The increase in diabetes has been fueled by an increase in the number of adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which is preventable in many cases with moderate healthy lifestyle modifications. The growing prevalence of diabetes mirrors an increase in other unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (lack of physical activity, and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption) as well as a concurrent rise in obesity rates. To combat these increases, the Macomb County Health Department is working with community partners to target modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases including diabetes.

Prediabetes is a condition where people have a slightly higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) level, but do not meet the clinical diagnosis for diabetes. Research has shown that Type 2 Diabetes risk can be reduced by making healthy lifestyle choices - losing 5-7% of body weight and getting physical activity for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week.

To provide Macomb County residents an opportunity to learn more about healthy lifestyle choices and to provide coaching and encouragement the Health Department and it's partners (Henry Ford Hospital and Ascension St. John) offer the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). DPP is an evidence based lifestyle change program from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that has been shown to help participants reduce their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by more than 50%. The program includes 16 weekly sessions and follow up sessions once per month over 6 months.

Interested residents can find out about eligibility and upcoming classes by visiting this link: Macomb County Health Department DPP Classes.

Macomb Partners in Health was formed in March 2015 to improve care management and reduce the rate of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke in Eastpointe, Roseville and Warren in Macomb County. Chronic diseases, when unmanaged, are detrimental to the health and livelihood of individuals; affect the emotional and economic well-being of their families and their community; have an economic impact on the productivity of a population. Furthermore, unmanaged chronic diseases increase health care cost for consumers, employers, and government.

The Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) is the Macomb Partners in Health lead organization, with key partners: the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Macomb County Health Department, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, St. John Providence Partners in Care, Advantage Health Centers, AFPD – Voice for the Independent Retailers, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA), MSU Extension, MyCare Health Center, Recreation Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe, Serra's Market, Value Fresh Marketplace, Walgreens, and the City of Warren Parks and Recreation.

The Macomb County Health Department has identified chronic diseases and healthy lifestyles as a priority in the 2017 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) after reviewing quantitative and qualitative data in the Community Health Assessment (CHA). You can read more about the CHA and corresponding CHIP and related work group activities on the Community Health Assessment resource page.