Diabetes Prevention Program
DIABETES HEALTH SNAPSHOT
PREVALENCE
1 in 7 Mississippians lives with diabetes. This is 32% higher than the US average of 12%.
UNDIAGNOSED
75,000 people in Mississippi are estimated to have diabetes and don’t know it.
PREVALENCE
Mississippi ranks 48th out of 50 states, with the second-highest diabetes prevalence rate in the nation at 15%.
MORTALITY
High diabetes mortality rate, with 35 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022.
PREDIABETES
11% of Mississippians are expected to be pre-diabetic.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The I Can Diabetes Prevention Program is for people who do not have diabetes yet but are at risk. It helps participants make small, healthy changes to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Who can join?
- People who have prediabetes (higher-than-normal blood sugar).
- Anyone at risk of diabetes due to weight, family history, or other factors.
- Women who had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
How long is the program?
Over the course of a year, participants attend 22 sessions:
- 16 weekly sessions over the first 6 months to build healthy habits.
- 6 monthly sessions to provide continued support and help maintain progress.
What will you learn?
- Understanding Your Risk: Why diabetes develops and how to stop it.
- Healthy Eating: How to make simple food swaps that help lower blood sugar.
- Getting Active: Easy ways to move more without needing a gym.
- Setting Goals & Staying Motivated: How to make healthy habits that last.
- Weight Loss & Portion Control: Small changes that lead to big results.
- Overcoming Stress & Challenges: How to stay on track when life gets busy.
- Long-Term Success: How to keep up your progress and stay healthy.
Why Should You Join?
If you are worried about getting diabetes, this program gives you the tools and support to stay healthy and avoid future problems.
Which program is right for you?
If you already have diabetes and want to learn how to manage it, choose the MSDH Freedom Diabetes Program.
If you do not have diabetes but are at risk, choose the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
Here are a few links to CDC resources that support these programs: National Diabetes Prevention Program | About Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes | Diabetes Complications