Urban League of Greater Chattanooga Starts Diabetes Prevention Program

CHATTANOOGA (March 13, 2023) – The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN) has open registration for its diabetes prevention program.

Partnering with the Hamilton County Health Department and sponsor BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the program, the six-month program is for those who are at a high risk for Type 2 diabetes.

The program will have participants meet with a facilitator on a weekly basis to set goals on living a healthier life and provide them with tools to do so. The meetings will be hybrid, with most happening in person.

Candy Johnson, President of the Urban League, said, “Through this new program, we hope to shed light on the preventative measures those with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can take to live a longer and healthier life.”

The Urban League hopes that the program participants will be able to slow or even prevent the development of the disease. According to the Urban League, participants should be able to lose 5-7% of their starting weight.

Type 2 diabetes, according to the 2022 Urban League’s State of Black Chattanooga, is one of the main chronic health conditions facing the black community. The mortality rate is almost three times that of the white community.

This program hopes to improve those numbers.

“The condition impacts black residents’ ability to fully participate in work, education and recreation. Meeting the needs of a community holistically means that we must address all aspects of well-being, including this pressing health concern,” said Ms. Johnson.

The program is free for those who qualify.

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