Work-site Prevention Programs

Nearly seven percent of the United States population or 21 million Americans are living with diabetes, while 57 million have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. If current trends continue, one out of three Americans born in 2000 and after will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Additionally, metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in the United States, affecting an estimated 50 million Americans. As a result, potentially any one of your employees could have diabetes or metabolic syndrome or develop it in the future.

Effects on the workplace

The potential effects your company may see as a result of chronic conditions include higher absenteeism, lower productivity and greater expenditures for illness and disability. With your company’s support and Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Center’s prevention program, you can provide your employees with the education and resources they need to prevent diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

The program

The prevention program includes education and support for lifestyle changes. Initially, employees complete an assessment to determine their risk level, followed by screening assessments to attain critical biometric readings per employee. The assessment and screenings are also completed at the conclusion of the program.

The classes, taught by health care professionals, focus on modifying behaviors—including meal planning, exercise, label reading and weight management. All classes are 30-60 minutes. The health care professionals that instruct the classes may consist of diabetes educators, registered nurses, exercise instructors and dietitians. The staff is dedicated to those affected by pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome.