Approaches for sustaining diabetes prevention program practices post-graduation: A scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPP) are effective lifestyle interventions reducing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) incidence by 58% and improving cardiometabolic risk factors.
• The long-term sustainability of DPP benefits and the efficacy of booster interventions for graduates are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review examining the availability, structure, and effectiveness of booster programs designed for DPP graduates.
• To identify strategies for sustaining the positive health outcomes achieved through DPPs.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Clinical Trials was performed for relevant intervention studies published before January 23, 2025.
• Due to limited studies and heterogeneity in reporting, findings were synthesized using a narrative approach.

Main Results:

• Nine publications from four unique studies were included after screening 1613 articles.
• Booster interventions demonstrated a significant reduction in long-term T2DM incidence.
• While effects on blood glucose and HbA1c were inconsistent, significant improvements were noted in anthropometric measures like BMI, weight, and waist circumference.

Conclusions:

• Booster programs show promise in reducing long-term T2DM risk and enhancing cardiometabolic health among DPP graduates.
• Findings can inform the development of cost-effective, scalable interventions to manage the global prediabetes burden.