CLEARFIELD — The Davis County Health Department is tackling Type 2 diabetes with a new program.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “PreventT2” will pair at-risk county residents with a lifestyle coach to improve health. Those with prediabetes who don’t up their physical activity or lose weight can develop Type 2 diabetes in five years, according to health department information.

Because Type 2 diabetes can’t be reversed, health officials are using the PreventT2 program to help prevent the disease.

“It’s a great program that is helping participants find hope and build confidence in their abilities to actually make positive health changes — something many people don’t believe they can do anymore,” said Marcie Clark, a community health educator with Davis County Health Department, in a statement.

More than 29 million people have diabetes in the United States. Another 86 million have prediabetes, according to CDC information. 

“Unfortunately, 9 out of 10 people who have prediabetes do not know they have it,” said Kristen Brimley, the health departments’s PreventT2 coordinator, in a statement. “If you have prediabetes or are at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, join this PreventT2 lifestyle change program to help reduce that risk.”

The PreventT2 program starts Aug. 26 and lasts one year. Classes are held at 10 a.m. Fridays. Participants meet weekly for the first three months, biweekly for the following three months, then once a month for the last six months. 

The tentative location for the program is Grant Christian Internal Medicine at 425 Medical Drive in Bountiful, although the location may change based on the number of participants.

The program costs $200, with $100 reimbursed upon completion. All costs are covered for those with Medicare or Medicaid. For more information on PreventT2, visit the Davis County Health Department website.  To register, call Brimley at 801-525-5077 or email kbrimley@co.davis.ut.us.