Building Toward a Population-Based Approach to Diabetes Screening and Prevention for US Adults

Evidence-based treatments for prediabetes can prevent and delay the development of type 2 diabetes in adults. In this review, we propose a framework for population-based diabetes prevention that links screening and prevention activities across key stakeholders. We also discuss gaps in current practice, while highlighting opportunities to improve diabetes screening and prevention efforts population-wide.

Awareness of diabetes risk is low, and many adults with prediabetes are not identified through existing screening efforts. Accumulating evidence and policies support expansion of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) into clinical and community settings. However, the infrastructure to facilitate referrals and promote data exchange among patients, clinical settings, and community-based DPP programs is lacking. Development of evidence-driven, scalable processes for assessing diabetes risk, screening eligible adults, and delivering preventive treatments are needed to effectively improve the glycemic health of the US adult population.