Suffolk County receives “full plus recognition” for fourth consecutive year

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has received “full plus recognition” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its Diabetes Prevention Program for the fourth consecutive year. The designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered a quality, evidence-based program that meets all the highest standards for CDC recognition.

“Suffolk County residents are incredibly lucky to have available to them a no-cost program that is highly successful at supporting them with modest lifestyle changes to help reduce their risk of acquiring diabetes and other preventable diseases,” said County Executive Ed Romaine.

The Suffolk County Diabetes Prevention Program exceeded the national average in participant risk reduction by roughly 30%. Among program participants last year, 80% achieved a 5% weight loss, 67% participated in 150 minutes per week of physical activity over the course of eight sessions and 27% reduced their baseline HbA1C.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) has been proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The DPP is a year-long program that meets in small groups. A trained lifestyle coach leads the weekly session to help participants improve their food choices, increase physical activity and learn coping skills to maintain weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes.

The initial study, which began in 1997, showed the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was reduced by 58% in adults at high risk for the disease (71% for people over 60 years old). A 10-year follow-up study showed that participants were still one-third less likely to develop type 2 diabetes a decade later than individuals who took a placebo. Those who developed type 2 diabetes delayed the onset of the disease by about four years.

Suffolk County has been a partner in the diabetes program since 2013 and first achieved full recognition for its diabetes prevention program in October of 2016. The standards to achieve full recognition are strict, requiring extensive documentation and demonstration of an average weight loss of 5% across all evaluated participants in the year-long cohort, a 0.2% reduction in HB1c, or a weigh loss of 4% and at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity for 12 months.

To achieve “full plus” recognition, the program must retain certain percentages of a cohort over periods of time. For example, a minimum of 50% of a cohort must be retained at the beginning of the fourth month. Suffolk County’s designation is noted on the national registry website.

“It is not easy to change behavior, but we are making inroads, and we hope to ultimately see improvement in health outcomes as we train more lifestyle coaches in our communities,” said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of Health Services. “To accomplish full plus recognition from the CDC is testimony to our dedicated staff who have brought this program to life in Suffolk County.”

To date, 438 Suffolk County residents have participated in the county’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

The Suffolk County Diabetes Prevention Program will be offering a new year-long program at the Suffolk County Department of Health, Office of Health Education in Hauppauge, starting on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM.  Details are posted on the county website. To register, contact Debora Rippel at 631-853-2928 or debora.rippel@suffolkcountyny.gov.