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New Program In West Virginia Aims To Prevent Diabetes

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West Virginia will launch a new program for hundreds of thousands of people at risk of developing diabetes, with a focus on intensive lifestyle coaching.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a yearlong program for those at high risk and those diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

Participants will work with a lifestyle coach in a group setting to achieve weight loss and physical activity goals. It starts with one-hour sessions once a week for 16 weeks, followed by six monthly sessions.

Gina Wood is director of diabetes control and prevention for the Bureau for Public Health. She says employees and volunteers with 13 organizations across the state have already completed training to become effective coaches.

It's unclear, however, when the programs will officially launch and how many people are likely to participate.