What is Prediabetes?

In the United States 8 out of 10 adults has prediabetes, but only 10 percent of them know they have it.¹ In South Dakota, only 6 percent of adults know they have it.² Prediabetes means a patient's blood glucose (sugar) level is higher than normal, but not high enough yet for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Patients with prediabetes are on the road to developing type 2 diabetes and are also at increased risk for other serious health problems, such as stroke and heart disease. Often, there are no symptoms for prediabetes, which is why it is important to screen and test all patients.

Screening

As a provider, it is important to understand that the Prediabetes Risk Test Screening Tool can help patients to identify if they may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.This risk test can be used in a clinic waiting room setting, or at a health fair or public setting. Screening is quick and free and a patient does not need to make an appointment. Although the screening is free and easily accessible, it is still important for patients to be clinically tested for diabetes.

To order free Prediabetes Risk Test Screenings and the follow up "What is Prediabetes?" rack cards, click here.

Testing

The clinical diagnosis for prediabetes is:³

• A1C - 5.7% to 6.4%
  or
• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) - 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl
  or
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) - 140 mg/dl to 199 mg/dl

Diagnosis

As a provider, it is important to make the diagnosis of prediabetes and share the diagnosis with your patient. This will help your patient to understand prediabetes, and his/her risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The diagnosis will help you share resources that can benefit your patient and help to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Making the diagnosis not only helps you to better care for your patient, but also helps your patient better understand his/her condition and find strategies to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Referral

Click here to learn more about the National Diabetes Prevention Program and how to refer your patients to the nearest program.

There are some prediabetes risks your patient can't control, like age and family history. But there are small things your patient can do to reduce his/her risk, including increasing physical activity to 150 minutes per week and adjusting his/her diet. These small doable actions can also help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle change skills, including physical activity, healthy diet, and stress management, are taught to patients through the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National NDPP).⁴

What is the National Diabetes Prevention Program?

One resource available for patients with prediabetes or for patients at risk for type 2 diabetes is the National Diabetes Prevention Program, or National DPP. The National DPP is an evidence-based intervention that helps prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. It is an affordable, high-quality lifestyle change program offered to patients in South Dakota both in-person setting or virtually.

National DPP Overview

The National DPP is a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program that is held in-person or virtually for one year. Patients meet weekly for the first 4 months, 2 times per month for the following 2 months, followed by monthly meetings for the remaining 6 months.

The lifestyle change program can help your patients with prediabetes to:

• Learn to eat healthy
• Add physical activity to their daily schedule
• Deal with stress
• Cope with challenges
• Learn to get back on track if they stray from their plan

Learn more about the National Diabetes Prevention Program by visiting the CDC's website by clicking here.

National DPP Costs Savings

In 2017, the total cost of care for people with diagnosed diabetes was $327 billion, up 33% over a 5-year period.¹ About 1 in 4 health care dollars is spent on people with diagnosed diabetes. The majority of expenses are related to hospitalizations and medications used to treat complications of diabetes.

People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes incur on average $16,750 annually in medical expenses.¹ That's about 2.3 times the medical expenses of a person without diabetes. The need to prevent type 2 diabetes has never been greater.

If a patient attends National DPP and prevents the onset of type 2 diabetes for even just 3 years, that is a cost savings of over $45,000!

Counseling and Educating Your Patients

It is not only important to make the diagnosis for your patient of prediabetes but also to provide resources and support. The most important thing for a patient to do immediately after a diagnosis of prediabetes is to find additional support. The National Diabetes Prevention Program is offered across South Dakota at various locations and is also offered virtually.

DIABETES PREVENTION TOOLKIT

Healthcare providers can use materials provided in the AMA Diabetes Prevention Toolkit to help prevent type 2 diabetes by referring patients to an in-person or online CDC-recognized lifestyle change program. The toolkit provides resources for the health care team, such as billing codes, information on how to optimize your electronic health record for diabetes prevention, and fact sheets about prediabetes and the National DPP.

AMA Provider Toolkit

Find a National Diabetes Prevention Program

Click below to find a local National Diabetes Prevention Program and/or to learn more about South Dakota's virtual National DPP.

Find a Program

DPP Implementation Guides

This Implementation Plan is a South Dakota-specific guide for how to develop and deliver your National DPP and become CDC recognized. This guide has been designed to be useful for all types of organizations in South Dakota from different stages, so please feel free to skip around and use each resource to meet your organizational needs.

Download Guide


This Implementation Plan is a comprehensive guide for how to develop and deliver your virtual DPP and become recognized by CDC. This guide has been designed to be useful for all types of organizations and from different stages, so please feel free to skip around and use each resource to meet your organizational needs.

Download Guide


This Social Media Toolkit is to be used in conjunction with the Implementation Guide to help new programs get started. It can also be used on it’s own to help current programs market their program and create more interest.

Download Guide | Download Graphics

Additional Local Programs

In addition to the National Diabetes Prevention Program, there are other available programs that can benefit a patient with prediabetes. The following programs are offered in South Dakota and can help your patients with prediabetes find programs to delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes:


Better Choices, Better Health® SD offers chronic disease self-management education workshops that are designed to help adults living with ongoing physical and/or mental health conditions and caregivers understand how healthier choices can improve quality of life, boost self-confidence, and inspire positive lifestyle changes. These workshops are available for those with chronic disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and cancer. Now offered virtually and self-study, as well as face-to-face.

View Program

Fit & Strong! is a multi-component, evidence-based physical activity program. This eight-or-twelve-week program targets individuals with osteoarthritis and has demonstrated significant functional and physical activity improvements in this population.

View Program

Park Rx encourages healthcare providers to prescribe exercise to their patients – and when they do – patients can take their Park Rx to any South Dakota State Park and turn it in for a FREE one-day pass. Patients can also turn in the pass that same day and receive a discounted annual pass to encourage yearlong activity.

View Program

Walk With Ease Program is a 6-week walking program that is designed to help adults living with ongoing arthritis, joint pain, or individuals who are sedentary and want to become more active. Participants can join group-led workshops offered by trained leaders or register for a self-guided session and walk on their own.

View Program

Additional South Dakota Resources

For more local and national resources, visit healthysd.gov.
This website provides up-to-date information for patients and providers about additional programs and opportunities to stay healthy and active.

SD Department of Health Education Materials Catalog.
This website provides a catalog of educational material available through the SD Department of Health. Visit DOH Catalog.

Good & Healthy South Dakota Information Center
One-stop overview of all the ways the office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is working to meet the needs of all South Dakotans at home, school, work, healthcare facilities, and in communities and reservations. Visit Good & Healthy SD.

National Diabetes Prevention Program Testimonials