Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Louisiana Joins With Omada Health To Offer Cutting-Edge Diabetes Prevention Program

Via Blue Cross Blue Shield:

BATON ROUGE – Many of us know a family member, friend or other loved one who is living with diabetes. There are 27 million Americans who have diabetes, and Louisiana has the second-highest diabetes mortality rate in the nation. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is taking a leading role in addressing this condition, becoming the first health insurance company and employer in Louisiana to implement an online diabetes prevention program, called Prevent, in partnership with Omada Health.

While the seriousness and potential effects of diabetes are widely reported, many people are unaware of an even more common problem: prediabetes.  

Prediabetes, as the name implies, is considered the early warning stage for diabetes. People with prediabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, which can cause kidney, nerve or eye damage. And 70 percent of people who have prediabetes will eventually develop Type 2 diabetes. But, most people who have prediabetes—90 percent—do not even know they have it. This is unfortunate, as one in three Americans, or 87 million, are living with prediabetes, and they could reduce or eliminate their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by making moderate lifestyle changes like exercising, eating a healthier diet and losing weight. Research shows people who participate in diabetes prevention programs can reduce their risk for Type 2 diabetes by 58 to 71 percent.

Read more: http://www.bcbs.com/healthcare-news/plans/bcbsla-joins-with-omada-health-to-offer-cutting-edge-diabetes-prevention-program.html#/%23blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-louisiana-joins-with-omada-health-to-offer-cutting-edge-diabetes-prevention-program