It is estimated that more than twenty-nine million of the population in the United States are affected by diabetes and it is listed as the seventh leading death causing disease.
Diabetes Mellitus is a high blood glucose level that results in either because of inadequate insulin secretion or body cells that do not respond to insulin. This disease without treatment will damage many body parts leading to complications such as strokes, heart disease, and kidney failure.
Prediabetes is a stage before diabetes. An elevated blood sugar level but below the threshold of diabetes condition is a symptom of prediabetes and it is becoming more common in America. One out of every three Americans have prediabetes and many of them are not aware of it. Prediabetes can gradually develop to Type 2 diabetes.
The other condition called Type 1 diabetes, where the human body does not secrete insulin. This type is referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, or early-onset diabetes. Type 1 is not common as Type 2 diabetes. On average 5% of diabetes patients belongs to Type 1.
In an effort to prevent this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established a program called Diabetes Prevention and Recognition Program (DPRP).
Diabetes Prevention and Recognition Program (DPRP)
Diabetes Prevention and Recognition Program (DPRP) is a program facilitated by CDC. It provides information about Type 2 diabetes to people who are at risk, providers and also to the health insurers. The motive of this initiative is to recognize and give quality assurance measures for organizations to effectively deliver the Lifestyle Change Programs.
DPRP program is initiated based on many studies, and it is a part of a successful program called Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).
The focus of DPRP is to provide assistance to people who are expected to be affected by Type 2 diabetes and to educate them about diabetes prevention measures.
CDC gives a detailed description of DPRP standards for Type 2 diabetes prevention lifestyle intervention program and it explains how to apply, earn and maintain recognition.
Organizations which have the knowledge and skilled staff for lifestyle coaching can apply for recognition. After getting approval from CDC the organization should implement the lifestyle program, regularly monitor the program, provide guidance to coaches and ensure the program achieves the desired results.
Like any other program, DPRP also ensures quality reporting, recognized organizations are expected to submit data every 12 months to CDC. Organizations who fail to submit the evaluation data will lose their recognition and need to re-apply for it.
The organization will enroll the participants if they are
1. A minimum of 18 years old with BMI of ≥24 kg/m2 or ≥22 kg/m2, if Asian.
2. A minimum of 50% participants must have self-blood test report or any claim code that indicates they have prediabetes within the past year (maybe self-reported)
a. Fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dl
b. Plasma glucose measured 2 hours after a 75 gm glucose load of 140 to 199 mg/dl
c. A1c of 5.7 to 6.4
d. Clinically diagnosed GDM during a previous pregnancy (maybe self-reported)
3. A maximum of 50% eligible participants is from CDC Prediabetes Screening Test of the American Diabetes Association Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test or on a claims-based risk assessment.
Diabetes is a preventable disease. The fluctuation in blood sugar level can be controlled so people can live a normal life. But when it is not controlled the condition gets worse sometimes even causes death.
The importance of DPRP program is to postpone diabetes and its terrible side effects. The main reason for this increase in diabetes population is primarily due to lack of awareness. DPRP is employed to create awareness in order to control the disease.
