Proven Diabetes Prevention—

Free KCC Program Provides What Most Health Plans Do Not

By John Voket

Kevin’s Community Center has been reaching out to residents of Newtown, and more recently the region, who are underinsured and uninsured, providing no-cost immediate health care and top-flight referrals to specialists when required.

But now, for the first time, the Newtown-based community health clinic is targeting the thousands — yes thousands — of Newtown residents who are at risk to contract diabetes. And according to the clinic’s diabetes education coordinator, KCC’s no-cost initiative will provide what even some of the most robust private health plans do not: proven diabetes prevention.

Maureen Moore, an RN and certified diabetes education specialist heading up the KCC program, says Power To Prevent is actually aimed as much at those who think they have, or do not need such a program, as it is at targeting individuals who have already been told they have a predisposition for diabetes.

“We based this program, which is free and open to anyone on Newtown, on a CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] model,” Ms Moore said this week. “The results were really exceptional: 58 percent of those who followed the advice set forth in the program either delayed or prevented the onset of type 2 diabetes.”

The American Diabetes Association identifies type 2 diabetes as the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy.

As a result, when food is consumed, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.

When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications, which is exactly what the KCC project hopes to preempt.

The KCC diabetes educator said the local clinic has always been interested in preventing diabetes among its many patients exhibiting predisposition for the condition, either because of family history, high stress, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, an overweight condition, poor diet, or all of the above.

But Ms Moore, and clinic director Dr Z Michael Taweh, like the Power to Prevent program because it can affect the greatest benefit among the most participants with the easiest and least invasive means.

“It’s really based on just taking small steps in various areas of your life,” Ms Moore said. “Nothing major or life changing.”

According to Dr Taweh, Power to Prevent is not only designed to encourage those who are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. He said in a release that people already diagnosed with diabetes can also benefit from the program by learning skills that will help them control their blood sugar levels.

“The program provides resources and activities that can help people enjoy a way of life that includes healthy eating and increased physical activity to supports their personal decision to change their lifestyle and adopt healthy habits,” Dr Taweh said. “It includes information on diabetes prevention, ideas for tasty and healthy eating, suggestions for physical activity, and tools to make changes one step at a time.”

Ms Moore said the time was right to reach out to members of the community at large, even those with great health plans, because most of those plans do not cover education or programs to treat prediabetes.

“With health care costs so high already, and the amount of people with prediabetes conditions ready to send those costs spiraling out of control in the future, it makes sense for Kevin’s to do all we can right now,” Ms Moore said.

The local clinic is looking for residents to sign up for the Power to Prevent program now, because its first orientation session is scheduled for October 16. The many aspects of Kevin’s Community Center’s Power to Prevent initiative are set forth below:

October 16: Small Steps, Big Rewards — Your game plan to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes;

October 23: Being Active — Start now to get moving and have fun;

October 30: Healthy Eating — Reduce fats and carbohydrates to lose weight;

November 6: Healthy Eating; and

November 13: A Guide to Changing Habits.

In addition, KCC program leaders are planning an optional trip to a local store to help participants learn how to identify and choose healthier foods and meals for themselves and their families.

The weekly sessions run from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the clinic, located at 53 South Main Street. Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact the clinic or to leave a message expressing interest at 203-426-0496.