Online Screening Tools To Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

The American Medical Association and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have partnered to launch a new initiative that leverages online tools to reach individuals with pre-diabetes and to help prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. According to CDC, 86 million US residents have pre-diabetes, 90% of whom are unaware of it. Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, said, "Research shows that 15% to 30% of overweight people with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within five years unless they take steps to prevent or delay its onset by making important lifestyle changes."

AMA President Robert Wah said, "More than $245 billion each year in health care spending and reduced productivity is directly linked to diabetes."

The new initiative, called Prevent Diabetes STAT will focus on delay or prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes. As part of the initiative, AMA and CDC co-developed an online toolkit aimed at helping health care providers to screen patients and refer those at a high risk of developing diabetes to prevention programs. The groups also created an online screening tool to help patients assess their risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Albright said, "Research shows that screening, testing and referring people who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes is critical. Research also shows that when people know they have pre-diabetes they are more likely to take action."

Source-Medindia