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Diabetes Prevention Program

In 2018, Latino Connection became part of the CDCs provider directory for the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in the United States. In partnership with the Health Promotion Council of PHMC, five members from the LC team were trained to become Lifestyle Coaches with the overall goal to execute multiple DPP classes in multiple Pennsylvania counties. Two years later, DPP was executed by the LC Lifestyle Coaches in Dauphin, Berks, Lehigh, York, and Lebanon counties. 

The CDC’s methods of executing DPP:

  • Lifestyle Coach
  • Telephonic Coaching as needed only
  • No Incentives
  • Open to individuals with pre-diabetes only

What We Did

Latino Connection’s methods of executing DPP which includes the following innovative techniques:

  1. Lifestyle Coach AND Community Health Workers
  2. WEEKLY Telephonic Coaching Sessions a norm
  3. WEEKLY Incentives for each class attended
  4. Inclusion of all individuals: individuals with pre-diabetes diagnosis, individuals with a diabetes diagnosis, children and family of participants, etc.

By utilizing the above innovative methods, recruitment, and retention rates increase by 150% compared to traditional DPP methods.

In June 2020, Latino Connection will implement virtual DPP series in light of recent COVID-19 limitations. 

What will this entail? 

  1. Provisions of the Internet for participants that are in need of it, thanks to our internet service provider partners. 
  2. Provisions of basic tablets for participants that do not have means of connecting to virtual classes. 
  3. Virtual classes being provided via different platforms: 
    1. WebEx
    2. Facebook Live
    3. WhatsApp

Market/Demographic

Our DPP approach targets Hispanic/Latino and African-American individuals; as well as low-income and other vulnerable communities. These demographics require additional innovative methods of intervention as social determinants play a large part in their health outcomes. By implementing collaborative methods such as a CHW and/or weekly telephonic coaching, the odds of increasing health literacy for at-risk communities is greater.

*The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is a partnership of public and private organizations working to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Partners make it easier for people at risk for type 2 diabetes to participate in evidence-based lifestyle change programs to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes.