The Granite YMCA Program Tackles Diabetes Education

November 19, 2024

The Granite YMCA Diabetes Education Program is playing a pivotal role in the health of Granite State communities.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, “approximately 97,000 people in New Hampshire, or 9% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes. An additional 29,000 people in New Hampshire have diabetes but don’t know it, greatly increasing their health risk. Every year an estimated 7,000 people in New Hampshire are diagnosed with diabetes.” Combating this disease and helping people better understand how to manage their diabetes has been part of the mission of The Granite YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

In January 2022, The Granite YMCA made significant strides in combating diabetes by becoming the first community-based YMCA in the nation to be accredited as a Diabetes Educator by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. That achievement, together with its status as a recognized Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Provider by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the second consecutive year, allows Granite Staters to access the YMCA's "gold standard" diabetes education and prevention programs, often at no cost through insurance coverage.

The Granite YMCA’s Diabetes Education Program is a one-year program including 19 sessions in the first six months, followed by six sessions in the second six months. It is led by a trained lifestyle coach who utilizes a CDC-approved curriculum, and this program is open to everyone (membership to the YMCA is not required).

Program participants must be 18 years or older, have a BMI of equal to or greater than 25 and either have prediabetes confirmed by a blood test, previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes or qualify on a risk assessment score. Those that do take part come from all over the state and are helped to achieve the program goals of reducing their body weight by 5-7% and to increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week.

Michele Sheppard, CEO of The Granite YMCA, reinforces the organization's commitment to this initiative, stating, "Making diabetes education a priority to help improve the health status of the communities of New Hampshire is one of great pride for us. We know hospitals and health care systems are doing essential work, but by partnering as a community resource for diabetes education, we have been able to have a direct impact on people in terms of access, cost and outcome."

Under the guidance of Cindy Lafond, executive director of health interventions, the YMCA has developed accessible programming that meets highest standards in diabetes education. Cindy explains, "Our process began in 2020 with a curriculum aligned with CDC guidelines, and since that time we have been continually removing barriers to participation and assisting Granite Staters to achieve real and meaningful results."

To ensure accessibility, The Granite YMCA offers programs in several locations across New Hampshire, including Goffstown, Manchester, Portsmouth, Londonderry, Concord, and Exeter, as well as a virtual option for those unable to attend in person.

To learn more about The Granite YMCA’s national model in the fight against diabetes, go to our Diabetes Prevention Program webpage.

The Granite YMCA