Prediabetes: Take Control of Your Health

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It's easy to understand why so many people underestimate the consequences of prediabetes. After all, the name seems to imply that you're still okay. But those with prediabetes are already experiencing real damage to their heart caused by consistently higher than normal blood sugar levels. They're also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the next five years.

Type 2 diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., with serious consequences like heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, Alzheimer's Disease, and blindness. You may even lose your legs, feet, or toes. It can also be an expensive disease to treat, costing people with type 2 diabetes more than twice as much for health care.

Even when it is well-managed, type 2 diabetes can make you vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections, including cold, flu, and COVID-19. Nearly 1 in 10 adults in Wisconsin have been diagnosed with diabetes, and 34% have prediabetes—though at least 22% of those people haven't been diagnosed.

The good news is, taking control of your health is possible, and you don’t need to figure it out on your own. Support from your loved ones, guidance from a trusted healthcare provider, and lifestyle change programs in your community can give you the tools you need to reverse prediabetes.

You can prevent and reverse prediabetes

The first step? Finding out if you're at risk. Take the one-minute risk test to see if your medical history, daily habits, and other personal characteristics add up to a higher risk for prediabetes. One you know, you can take the next step toward better health.

Reduce your prediabetes risk

Only your doctor can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. If you have one or more risk factors for prediabetes, don't wait for symptoms. Take action right away.

Talk to your doctor about getting a simple blood sugar test.
Assess how you eat and how much you move each week.
Try adding a few new healthy habits to your daily routine.
If needed, set a reasonable and safe weight loss goal with the guidance of your health care provider or doctor.
Find people and programs that will support your progress.

Resources

On Your Way to Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

What to do after a diagnosis

Now that you know, you can start making informed decisions about your health, and make small but important lifestyle changes that can improve your blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes.

Follow your doctor's guidelines, eat healthy, and exercise.
Talk to your friends and family about your condition and ask for their support.
Find out if there are any free or low-cost (lifestyle change programs) in your community.
Tap into online diabetes prevention organizations and support groups.
Make a plan to monitor your progress at home and with your health care team.

Resources

On Your Way to Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Join a diabetes prevention lifestyle change program

Making positive changes to your everyday habits isn't always easy, but you don't have to do it alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program is a proven lifestyle change program that can help.

"What is it, exactly?"

It's not a fad diet, and no one will hand you a list of huge goals and then send you on your way.
Instead, diabetes prevention lifestyle change programs:

Feature a year-long, CDC-approved curriculum with lessons and resources to help you make manageable, healthy changes.
Are led by a trained lifestyle coach in your community to help you learn new skills and keep you motivated.
Are made up of a supportive group of people who are also committed to building healthier habits.

"Why should I join?"

Studies have shown that people with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%, and as much as 71% if you're over age 60. In addition to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, diabetes prevention lifestyle change programs can:

Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Improve overall health.
Boost energy levels and reduce stress.

"How do I get started?"

There are several ways you can find the Lifestyle Change Program that’s right for you.

Choose an in-person, online, or distance learning program from the map below.
Email or ask your employer if they provide any Lifestyle Change Programs through insurance.
Review the Lifestyle Change Program’s referral criteria.

Find a program near you

Many organizations in Wisconsin offer free, low-cost and affordable CDC-recognized diabetes prevention programs, in-person, via distance learning, and online. Interested in participating? You can join on your own or ask your doctor to refer you to a program in your area, and some employers and health insurance providers may support your participation, too.

Find an in-person or online diabetes prevention program

Distance learning providers for National Diabetes Prevention Programs (National DPP)

With distance learning, you can participate in the National DPP from the convenience of your home, workplace, or favorite vacation spot! In distance learning programs, groups meet live in real time on a virtual platform such as Zoom. You can participate from anywhere if you have a laptop, tablet, or smart phone and internet service. Many organizations across Wisconsin provide the National DPP via distance learning. Please contact the organization about upcoming classes:

Boscobel: Boscobel Pharmacy, 608-375-4466
Brown Deer: MyNP Professionals, 414-874-5000
Cumberland: Cumberland Healthcare, 715-822-7500
Glendale: Balance Fitness and Wellness, 414-405-2855
Iron River: NorthLakes Community Clinics, 888-834-4551
Madison: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, 608-890-8528
Marshfield: Marshfield Clinic Health System, 715-387-9357
Menasha: Network Health Insurance (members only), 920-720-1200
Milwaukee: YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, 414-357-2811
Mount Horeb: Trollway Diabetes, Inc., 608-684-6686

Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP)

MDPP is a covered benefit for Medicare recipients and Medicare Advantage members. The organizations below provide the MDPP in Wisconsin. These programs are usually held in-person but during the COVID-19 pandemic classes are being held virtually via distance learning and you can participate from anywhere in Wisconsin if you have a laptop, tablet, or smart phone and internet service. Please contact the organization about upcoming classes:

Appleton: Northland Hometown Pharmacy, 920-840-6033, 420 E Northland Avenue Suite H
Beaver Dam: Beaver Dam Hometown Pharmacy, 920-356-1500, 609 N Spring St
Boscobel: Boscobel Pharmacy, (608) 375-4466, 1028 Wisconsin Avenue
Brown Deer: Rite-Hite Family YMCA, 414-357-2811, 9250 N Green Bay Rd
Cumberland: Cumberland Healthcare, 715-822-7072, 1110 7th Ave
Eagle River: Marshfield Clinic Eagle River, 715-387-9357, 500 Commerce Loop
Eau Claire: Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center, 715-858-4500, 2116 Craig Rd
Franklin: Briscoe Family YMCA Wellness Center, 414-357-2811, 7095 S Ballpark Dr
Green Bay: Bellin Health Medical Arts, 920-445-7220, 704 S Webster Ave
Green Bay: Bellin Health Bellevue, 920-433-6700. 3263 Eaton Rd Ste 201
Green Bay: Streu’s Pharmacy, (920) 437-0206, 635 Main Street
Iron Mountain: Bellin Health Iron Mountain, 906-776-9040, 440 Woodward Ave Ste 101
Ladysmith: Marshfield Clinic Ladysmith Center, 715-532-5561 ext: 1301, 900 College Ave W
Marinette: Bellin Health Marinette, 715-735-5225, 2820 Roosevelt Rd
Mayville: Mayville Hometown Pharmacy, 920-644-2080, 1448 Horicon Street
Milwaukee: Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, 414-649-6780, 2801 W. Kinnickinnic River Pkwy Medical Office Building 3 #260
Minocqua: Marshfield Clinic Minocqua Center, 715-358-1000, 9601 Townline Rd
Neillsville: Sniteman Pharmacy, (715) 743-3500, 528 Hewett Street
Park Falls: Marshfield Clinic Park Falls Center, 715-762-7311, 50 Sherry Ave
Racine: Racine Family YMCA, 262-634-1994, 725 Lake Ave
Reedsburg: Reedsburg Area Medical Center, 608-768-6243, 2000 N Dewey Ave
Rice Lake: Marshfield Medical Center-Rice Lake, 715-236-6367, 1700 W Stout St
Sheboygan: Sheboygan County YMCA, 920-451-8000 ext. 118, 812 Broughton Dr
Sheboygan Falls: Sheboygan Falls YMCA, 920-467-2464, 305 Buffalo St
Weston: Marshfield Clinic Weston Center, 715-393-1000, 3501 Cranberry Blvd

You can do this

With a little guidance and support, you can reverse or prevent prediabetes and build healthy habits that last a lifetime. Don't wait. Should you experience any difficulty accessing information on the map, or need more information to get in touch with a program near you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Explore your options

Now that you’ve learned a little more about reversing prediabetes, keep exploring. Learn about the dangerous myths that make prediabetes seem more harmless than it is, access educational resources, and more.

Understanding Prediabetes