Key points
- Since its establishment in 2010, the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) has relied on public and private partners.
- These include community organizations, private insurers, employers, health care organizations, faith-based organizations, and government agencies to expand the program nationwide.
- Pharmacists can be valuable partners in this effort.
How pharmacists can take action
Pharmacists and members of the pharmacy workforce reach people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These people can benefit from the National DPP lifestyle change program to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, and pharmacy residents can help prevent type 2 diabetes for their patients by:
- Raising awareness of prediabetes and the National DPP.
- Screening, testing for prediabetes, referring and enrolling people in the National DPP.
- Delivering the National DPP lifestyle change program.
Why pharmacists should participate
Pharmacists know preventive care. As a pharmacist, you deliver preventative health care services. This includes giving vaccinations, helping patients stop smoking and control their blood pressure, and delivering diabetes self-management education and support services. The National DPP lifestyle change program is another important example of preventative care.
Pharmacists have frequent patient encounters. You are likely to have frequent encounters with patients who have prediabetes who may be unaware of their condition. As a pharmacist, you also play a key role in reaching populations that are underserved or at higher risk.
The entire pharmacy workforce can benefit. Getting involved in the National DPP provides opportunities for you and your team. You'll have the opportunity to apply clinical knowledge, use motivational interviewing techniques, and help people prevent type 2 diabetes. You can pursue reimbursement options for services rendered.
Pharmacies are an essential part of today's health care system.
How to support the National DPP
Pharmacists and their pharmacies can join the many public and private organizations that support or deliver the National DPP lifestyle change program. By helping to expand the reach of the National DPP, pharmacists can prevent new cases of type 2 diabetes among their patients at high risk. All members of the pharmacy workforce can support these efforts by getting involved at one or more of the following levels: