Given that November, Diabetes Awareness Month, is only a few days away, there’s no better time to commit to improving your health and reducing your chance of developing diabetes. The Florida Department of Health in Flagler (DOH-Flagler) is offering a new opportunity to facilitate lifestyle changes and prevent diabetes through a year-long virtual Diabetes Prevention Program. The free program starts November 15 and is available to anyone, provided they are overweight, age 18 or older, and have at least one of the following:

• have been told they have prediabetes or borderline diabetes;
• have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
• had diabetes during pregnancy; and/or
• receive a high-risk result on a prediabetes test.  

“Reducing the incidence of diabetes has been a public health priority in Flagler County for several years,” said Health Administrator Robert Snyder with DOH-Flagler. “The curriculum for our new virtual program is CDC-approved and makes it easy to lose weight, become physically active and manage stress. True, we ask participants to make a 12-month commitment, but the virtual format makes it convenient to access curriculum whenever and wherever they choose.”

According to Snyder, Diabetes rates in Flagler County improved to 12 percent in 2019 from 14 percent in 2016. Despite this positive trend, there has been an uptick in the number of Flagler residents who are considered obese from 27 percent to almost 29 percent over the same three-year period.

“In just three years, our Diabetes Education Center has made a difference in helping clients learn how to manage and prevent this chronic disease,” he added. “Nonetheless, we want to do more to reduce obesity and encourage Flagler residents live healthier lives. We hope this new virtual program will help us come closer to achieving these goals.”

To sign up for DOH-Flagler’s virtual diabetes prevention class, call 386-313-7264.

Those interested in the program should also consider joining the health department, City of Palm Coast and the AdventPalm Coast Foundation’s DiaBEATes Alliance for World Diabetes Day, Sunday, Nov. 14 at Palm Coast City Hall. The health and wellness event will take place from 4 to 5PM, and will include free diabetes screenings, giveaways, and 30 minutes of group activity led by MondelloFit and Hot Yoga Lounge. Guests should come dressed to exercise and have some fun while showing support for diabetes prevention and treatment. You can register online at parksandrec.fun/events.

Through its Diabetes Education Center, the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County helps those diagnosed with diabetes lead healthier lives and helps others prevent the disease. In addition to diabetes self-management and prevention classes, free blood sugar screenings are offered on weekdays from 8:30AM to 4PM. The Flagler County Health Department office is at 206 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell. For more information call 386-313-7263 or 386-313-7264.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. You may also learn more at  www.FloridaHealth.gov.

For information about the local health department, go to flagler.floridahealth.gov, call 386-437-7350, or visit 301 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell. You can also listen to our weekly talk radio show “Flagler Health Matters,” Saturdays at 11:30AM, airing on WNZF News Radio 94.9FM or streaming at https://www.flaglerbroadcasting.com/wnzf.