Preventing type 2 diabetes in communities across the U.S.: the National Diabetes Prevention Program

There are as many as 79 million people in the U.S. with prediabetes, and their risk of developing type 2 diabetes is four to 12 times higher than it is for people with normal glucose tolerance. Although advances in diabetes treatment are still needed, there is a critical need to implement effective strategies to stem the current and projected growth in new cases of type 2 diabetes. RCTs and translation studies have demonstrated that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in those at high risk, through a structured lifestyle intervention that can be delivered cost effectively. In order to bring this compelling lifestyle intervention to communities across America, Congress authorized the CDC to establish and lead the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Several aspects of the etiology of type 2 diabetes suggest that strategies addressing both those at high risk and the general population are necessary to make a major impact on the diabetes epidemic.