The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and over 200 private and public organizations. The goal of the NDEP is to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and its complications. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NDEP was created in 1997. The original purpose of the NDEP was to practically apply the research of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). Following the 2001 UK Prospective Diabetes Study, the NDEP added blood pressure and cholesterol to glucose management as the diabetes “ABCs”. Follow-up information from both studies further evolved the mission of the NDEP to include the prevention and reduction of eye, kidney, nerve, heart, and vascular complications of diabetes. In 2001 the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) showed that weight loss and physical activity could prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, widening the National Diabetes Education Program’s scope to include type 2 preventative tactics.
National Diabetes Education Program – Objectives
The National Diabetes Education Program works with children, adults, caregivers, health care professionals, and community organizations, media, businesses, and school in order to reach its objectives of: increased awareness and knowledge; increased control of blood sugar and application of effective management strategies; decrease number of Americans with undiagnosed diabetes; reduce health disparities in communities heavily effected by diabetes; facilitate the inclusion of research into health care practice. In partnership with small private and public organizations, the NDEP uses culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies and materials in order to achieve their objectives.
National Diabetes Education Program – Website
The NDEP maintains a website with information for individuals with diabetes, who are at risk, health care professionals, and community organizations. The sections “I Have Diabetes” and “Am I At Risk?” are bilingual with text in English and Spanish. For diabetics the National Diabetes Education Program lists four steps for proper care and provides links to publications and other resources that you can read online. In order to determine if a person in at risk of diabetes the NDEP provides overviews of the risk factors, how one can prevent type 2 diabetes, the links between gestational diabetes and later development of type 2, and family history. The program Diabetes HealthSense is a tool for those with pre-diabetes or who are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. You can identify who you are (health care professional, family member, etc.), your age, and what are you need help with in order to receive tailored information. Furthermore, Diabetes HealthSense is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
