The FAMU Center for Health Equity (CHE) is pursuing
“recognition status” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as
a provider of the CDC’s lifestyle intervention program, which focuses on
diabetes prevention.
Three researchers in the FAMU CHE – Otis Kirksey, Cynthia
Seaborn, and Fajr Hassan – recently completed the required training to become
certified to deliver the National Diabetes Prevention Program curriculum. The
two-day training was provided by Emory University Rollins School of Public
Health.
“The Center for Health Equity’s focus has been on diabetes
management and education,” said Kirksey, professor and eminent scholar chair in
pharmacy practice. “The recent training we received at Emory University’s
School of Public Health will enable us to expand our scope to include a much
needed diabetes prevention component for underserved populations in the state.”
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based lifestyle change platform for preventing Type 2 diabetes, built upon a national diabetes prevention research study. This study demonstrated that making modest behavior changes helped participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight, which is 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. These lifestyle changes reduced the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in people with pre-diabetes.
“I am especially proud of Dr. Kirksey and his staff for the
life-changing initiatives they have undertaken at the Center for Health Equity
in regards to HIV and diabetes treatment and prevention,” said College of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean Michael D. Thompson. “Pursuing CDC
recognition is truly consistent with our mission to reduce disparities where
minorities are most affected.”
The training received by the CHE researchers is the initial
step required for the Center to obtain national recognition from the CDC as a
provider of its Diabetes Prevention Program.
The CDC Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program (DPRP) is a key
component of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The purpose of the DPRP
is to recognize programs that have shown that they can effectively deliver a
lifestyle change program to prevent Type 2 diabetes. The recognition program helps to ensure that
the lifestyle classes offered by local organizations meet quality standards.
The FAMU CHE will be submitting its application for
“recognition” status later this month.
Enrollment for the Center’s inaugural class is expected to begin in
March 2015. Participants enrolled in the program will work with a lifestyle
coach in a group setting to receive a one-year lifestyle change program that
includes 16 core sessions (usually one per week) and six post-core sessions
(one per month).