Empowering Health: Making a Difference with the Diabetes Prevention Program

In Chicago’s vibrant yet underserved neighborhoods, where health disparities often prevail, I have had the privilege of serving as a Diabetes Prevention Health Educator through the National Health Corps. This role has been a journey of empowerment, education, and transformation—both for the individuals I serve and for myself.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) I facilitate is rooted in the guidelines provided by the CDC, focusing on lifestyle changes to combat the risk of type 2 diabetes. My primary goal is to empower participants to take control of their health through accessible education and personalized support. This involves leading cohorts of individuals in a year-long program emphasizing healthy eating, physical activity, and strategies to manage stress.

Recruitment is a critical part of the program’s success. I actively connect with community members to break down barriers to participation, such as lack of health literacy and education around type 2 diabetes or lack of access to resources. Once enrolled, participants embark on a transformative journey. Over 70% of those who have completed the program have achieved significant milestones, including losing over 5% of their body weight and lowering their A1C levels, reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

In addition to the DPP, I collaborate with Advocate Aurora Health’s Healthy Living Food Farmacy program, which provides nutritious food to over 2,500 individuals annually battling poverty and food insecurity. This initiative ensures participants have the tools to implement the dietary changes we discuss in DPP class.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of my work. One of my proudest moments was organizing a holiday health fair, where we offered cooking demonstrations, a live fitness class, and resources for mindfulness and managing stress during the holidays. Watching families leave with actionable knowledge and a renewed commitment to their health especially around a challenging time for making healthy choices was incredibly rewarding. The power of the community between the DPP cohorts and Food Farmacy programs have been inspiring to be a part of. Participants not only work on bettering themselves, but band together to help each other, making our program one of the highest success rates in the country.

This role has broadened my perspective on the intersection of health and social determinants, such as food access, education, and systemic inequities. It has reaffirmed my dedication to public health and addressing health disparities, and I hope to continue serving diverse populations and addressing these critical gaps.

Through this program, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of education and compassion in transforming lives. It’s a reminder that even small, consistent steps toward wellness can lead to profound, lasting change. Together, we can build healthier communities, one goal at a time.