How to leverage social determinants and community to identify the root cause of engagement for hard to reach populations. A case study review of public sector drivers and their unique barriers to staying healthy and avoiding diabetes-related complications

During this session our speakers will comment on the genesis of the Diabetes Prevention Program for a large public-sector employer in Connecticut. The speakers will discuss multiple outreach strategies for engaging members at risk of diabetes type II through the implementation of an intensive, on-site National Diabetes Prevention Program. Spanning drivers and others who need a clean bill of health and a Commercial Driver’s License for their livelihood, this program successfully engaged a tough to reach cohort of (mostly) men age 40+ to make lasting behavior and lifestyle changes through one-on-one coaching and nutrition education. The speakers will share their first-hand account of this “boots on the ground” approach and how they used science to break through psycho-social barriers to change. After completing this session, participants will be able to: (1) Describe the components of the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program, a one-year lifestyle change program, (2) Articulate health plan strategies for engaging individuals at high risk for diabetes, specifically hosting sessions utilizing varied settings workplace, community, provider and retail centers, and (3) Show use of multiple delivery models to demonstrate value and scalability through outreach and educational efforts around the National Diabetes Prevention Program.