b'LIFESTYLEIn It Together DiabetesLIFESTYLEPrevention ProgramBy Debra A. YoungSincelearningabouttheInItTogetherDiabetesDHECreportsthatdiabetesistheseventhleading Prevention Program, Jacquetta Graham, a CertifiedcauseofdeathintheUnitedStates.DHECs LifestyleCoachatCareSouthCarolina,hasbeenstatisticsindicatethatAfricanAmericansare60% laserfocusedoneducatingthemorelikelythannon-Hispanic AfricanAmericancommunitywhite adults to be diagnosed with aboutthepreventionoftype2diabetes. According to the DAC diabetes.Formerlyapatientin2019SouthCarolinahadthe advocateatCareSouthCarolina,sixth highest percent of the adult Jacquettasaidshelearnedaboutpopulationwithdiabetesinthe theprogramfromafriendwhoUnitedStates.Tocombatthese encouragedhertocheckitout.statistics the DAC has partnered She took her friends advice andwithstakeholdersfromacross learnedthatthe InIt Togetherthestatetofocusoneducation, DiabetesPreventionProgramismanagement,andprevention sponsored by the Diabetes Actionoftype2diabetes.TheInIt CouncilofSC(DAC).SheTogetherDiabetesPrevention described the program as a one- Programfocusesonhealthy year,evidence-basedCentersforeatingandphysicalactivity DiseaseControlandPreventionwhichisproventopreventor (CDC)education,preventiondelaytype2diabetesthrough and treatment program designedbehaviormodification.They topreventordelaytheonsetpointtoresearchthatconfirms oftype2diabetes.Jacquettathatparticipationinstructured discoveredthatatthetime,lifestylechangeprogramscan theDepartmentofHealthandWhen participants discover that otherscut the risk of developing type 2 Environmental Control (DHEC)are dealing with the same challengesdiabetesby58%andashighas assistedlifestylecoachesintheyre facing and feel the same way71% for people over 60 years old. attending a certification program.about eating certain foods and stayingAsaresult,researchrevealsthat She shared the information withphysically active, they realize they are notparticipation in the program can CareSouthsDirectorofSociallowerparticipantsriskofhaving andCommunityServices,Malekalone. a heart attack or stroke, improve Calhoun,whoencouragedherJacquetta Graham their health, help them feel more to get certified.She admits thatenergetic,andevenreversetheir initiallywhenshebegantheprediabetes diagnosis.certificationclasses,shewashesitant.Oneofonly seven other people in the class, Jacquetta says she feltParticipants Share Common Bonda little nervous.But her nervousness quickly faded.Jacquettacompletedthecertificationclassesat OnceIgotintotheclassandbeganlearningsoDHECandbecameacertifiedLifestyleCoach much,IrealizedthattheinformationreallyhelpedinAprilof2017.Aftercompletingtheprogram me and that it could help others, Jacquetta explained.JacquettasaidshereturnedtoCareSouthCarolina She discovered she was prediabetic at the time.andspokewithprovidersabouttheprograms 12IMARA'