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CDC Statements on Diabetes Issues
CDC STATEMENT ON RESULTS OF DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
CDC
STATEMENT ON RESULTS OF DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
The following is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement
on the recently announced results of the Diabetes Prevention Program.
The study concluded that it is possible to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
1. What is the Diabetes Prevention Program?
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a 27-center randomized clinical
trial that studied more than 3,200 adults who were 25 years or older and
who were at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Participants
in the DPP included 55 percent who were Caucasian and 45 percent who were
minorities -- 20 percent African American, 16 percent Hispanic, 5 percent
American Indian, 4 percent Asian American. The DPP evaluated the effectiveness
of the following ways to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes:
- intensive lifestyle modification (healthy diet, moderate physical
activity of 30 minutes a day 5 days a week)
- standard care plus the drug metformin
- standard care plus placebo (a pill that has no effect).
2. How was increased risk for getting diabetes determined in the study
participants?
Their blood glucose or sugar was higher than normal, but not yet high
enough to be diabetes. All were overweight, most were obese, and most
had a family history of type 2 diabetes.
3. What were the major findings of the DPP?
- This is the first major clinical trial of Americans at high risk for
type 2 diabetes to show that lifestyle changes in diet and exercise
and losing a little weight can prevent or delay the disease.
- Participants who made lifestyle changes reduced their risk of getting
type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.
- The lifestyle intervention was effective for participants of all ages
and all ethnic groups.
- Participants with standard care plus metformin reduced their risk
for getting type 2 diabetes by 31 percent.
4. What do these results mean to American adults at high risk of getting
type 2 diabetes?
- Lifestyle changes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in those at
high risk.
- At least 10 million Americans have similar characteristics to those
in the DPP study.
- About 18.2 million Americans
are estimated to have diabetes and the prevalence of diabetes increased
dramatically during the 1990s.
5. Should all adults be tested for type 2 diabetes?
- If you weigh more than your ideal weight and have a family history
of diabetes, you should discuss testing with your health care provider
during a regular check-up.
6. Do the DPP results also apply to children?
- The DPP included only adults aged 25 years or older; however, the
pronounced effect of the lifestyle intervention suggests that lifestyle
changes will benefit people of any age who are at high risk for developing
type 2 diabetes.
- For more information on children and type 2 diabetes, see
7. What was CDC's role in the DPP?
CDC scientists collaborated with the study team and colleagues at the
National Institutes of Health to develop the lifestyle intervention; to
design the ongoing economic evaluation; and to design the screening and
eligibility requirements of study participants. CDC also provided technical
assistance as well as about $2 million for the study.
8. Now that the results of the DPP are in, what are CDC's next steps?
- Translate and share the DPP results with health care professionals,
health care policy makers, and people who are at a high risk of developing
diabetes.
- Determine how to identify people at high risk and deliver lifestyle
interventions in the most efficient and cost effective way.
- Develop ways to improve the health care system to effectively promote
positive lifestyles throughout the life cycle.
- Identify community programs that have culturally relevant ways to
reach people with messages of hope and support for lifestyle modifications
that are consistent with community strengths and values.
- Study how DPP results can be applied at a reasonable cost given the
competing needs in the United States.
9. What are the implications of the DPP results for CDC's 59 state
and territorial diabetes prevention and control programs (DPCPs) and other
local programs?
CDC supports 59 state and territorial
DPCPs. These programs focus on community interventions, health communications,
and health systems changes to prevent diabetes complications and to improve
the health and quality of life for all people with diabetes. DPCPs and
their partners help translate promising science into practice to prevent
the devastating complications of diabetes, including blindness, amputations,
kidney disease, and heart disease.
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death (
NVSR
2000;vol. 49, #12 (PDF - 2.32 MB) Learn
more about PDFs). With the recent epidemic increases in obesity
and diabetes, ensuring that all people with diabetes benefit from what
we already know is an enormous challenge.
Based on the findings of the DPP, the following are immediate implications
for DPCPs:
- DPCPs will help assure that DPP study findings are accurately reflected
in their program materials, press releases, printed documents, and public
comments. DPCPs will also play a critical role in raising awareness
of the importance of the DPP study findings among state constituents.
- DPCPs should aggressively educate state and local policymakers and
decision makers on the prevention opportunity derived from this study
and the need for additional resources to add primary prevention activities
to programs that currently serve people with diabetes.
- Based on the DPP study findings, DPCPs should encourage and promote
in-depth conversations and collaborations with their partners on future
program directions.
Related Links
February
19, 2002
HHS, American
Diabetes Association Renew Campaign
to Help People with Diabetes Know Their Cardiovascular Risks
New ADA Survey Shows Many Know Little About Risks Of Heart Disease, Stroke
August 8, 2001
Diet and
Exercise Dramatically Delay Type 2 Diabetes: Diabetes Medication Metformin
Also Effective
August 8, 2001
Remarks
by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson at Press Conference Announcing Results
of Diabetes Prevention Program
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Page last reviewed: July 12, 2007
Page last modified: November 8, 2007
Content Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Diabetes Translation
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