November is National Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness about this chronic condition and promote the strategies that can prevent and manage it. The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) is marking this month by highlighting the Heart of Weld Diabetes Prevention Program, which recently received preliminary recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a process that takes more than a year to achieve.
Diabetes remains a critical public health issue in Weld County, with 11.4% of residents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes by a healthcare provider. Since launching the DPP in June 2023, WCDPHE has aimed to reach at-risk populations in the county by offering free community screenings for diabetes and pre-diabetes. For individuals identified as pre-diabetic, participation in the county’s structured lifestyle change program can help reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by 16 percentage points per year.
“Preventing diabetes is more than just a health initiative; it’s about improving quality of life and reducing the long-term financial burden of diabetes on individuals and our healthcare system,” said Bob McDonald, director of the Health Communication, Education and Planning division. “Receiving recognition from the CDC reflects our commitment to making meaningful progress in diabetes prevention.”
The Heart of Weld provides culturally competent education, coaching, and support in both English and Spanish, helping bridge healthcare gaps in the community. It is one of only 4 local Public Health Agencies in Colorado who have achieved CDC recognition and the only DPP provider in Northern Colorado who can deliver classes in Spanish. Currently, 15.9% of Hispanic residents in Weld County report having diabetes, compared to 9.7% of White, non-Hispanic residents — a significant health disparity the program seeks to address.
To learn more about the Heart of Weld Diabetes Prevention Program or about community health screenings in Weld County, visit weld.gov/Go/DiabetesPrevention.
