Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center offers free CDC-accredited program to help prevent Type 2 diabetes

Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center is helping community members take charge of their health with a free, year-long prediabetes prevention program designed to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes through simple, sustainable lifestyle changes.

Led by Chris Hedio, Disease Management Specialist, Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center, and Denise Giroux, MPH, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian, Mon Medical Center, the program is accredited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and follows the national PreventT2 curriculum, an evidence-based approach proven to reduce the incidence of diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 14.4 % of adults (about 247,700 people) in West Virginia have diagnosed diabetes, and about 34.8 % of adults (502,000 people) are estimated to have prediabetes — meaning their blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet at the diabetes threshold.

“We’re using this month — National Diabetes Awareness Month — as a call to action. Prediabetes is your body’s early warning sign that it’s struggling to manage glucose — but the good news is, it’s reversible,” Hedio said. “Many people don’t realize they’re at risk until it’s too late because symptoms can be easy to overlook. Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision or slow-healing cuts can all signal that something’s off. A simple yearly blood test can detect prediabetes early, and with the right guidance, it can be completely turned around.”

The comprehensive, year-long program begins Jan. 14-15, 2026, and includes 26 sessions. Participants will learn how to plan meals, make healthy food choices based on what’s available locally, track nutrition and physical activity using MyFitnessPal Premium, and incorporate simple, at-home exercises — no gym membership required.

Each class is offered in person at the Mon Medical Center’s Mylan Conference Center and virtually for participants across the region, making it accessible for individuals from neighboring communities.

“Unlike many diet or weight loss programs, this one is built on science and long-term outcomes,” Giroux said. “We meet weekly at first to build habits, then biweekly, and eventually monthly as participants learn to self-manage. By the end of the year, we’ve seen people form lasting friendships and support networks that continue long after the program ends.”

To qualify, participants must be 18 years or older, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25, and meet one of the following criteria:

• A hemoglobin A1C between 5.5% and 6.4%
• A fasting blood glucose level between 110 and 120 mg/dL
• A history of gestational diabetes

To learn more or enroll in the program, contact Hedio at 304-599-8802, ext. 3017.