Health department offers diabetes prevention class; no-cost CDC approved class offered for the first time in McHenry County

The McHenry County Department of Health is offering a no-cost Type II Diabetes Awareness and Prevention program starting in July.

A class overview is scheduled for Tuesday, June 19, and will be repeated Tuesday, June 26.

The overview session and the class will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at McHenry County Department of Health, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. Registration for the public is open from through June 18. Registration and more information is available at www.mcdh.info. Class size is limited.

Offered for the first time in McHenry County, the class is based on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention model. Developed by the CDC specifically to prevent Type 2 diabetes, the National Diabetes Prevention Program is designed for people who have pre-diabetes or are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, but who do not already have the condition.

Carol Waggoner, an RN Health Educator for the MCDH Community Health Program, received lifestyle coach training from the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

According to Waggoner, "The (National Diabetes Prevention Program) makes it easier for people with pre-diabetes to participate in affordable, high-quality lifestyle change programs, reducing their risk of Type 2 diabetes and improving their overall health. I'm excited to bring this class, which follows the CDC curriculum and is founded on research, to our county."

If you are interested in participating in this program, review the prerequisite requirements and register at www.mcdh.info. For more information about the class call Carol Waggoner at (815) 334-4580.

To find out more about the National Diabetes Prevention Program, visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov and search "diabetes prevention."