Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Program

Our next Prevent Type 2 diabetes class begins soon

  • Location: Whitted Human Services Center building in Hillsborough. 
  • How to sign up: Email Greg Schiltz (gschiltz@orangecountync.gov) or call him (919) 245-2481.
  • Cost:  The class costs $25. We will give participants more than $200 worth of gifts like scales, exercise equipment, fitness trackers, gift cards, and small kitchen appliances. 

What is type 2 diabetes?

The food we eat turns into sugar (glucose) which our bodies use for energy. An organ called the pancreas makes a hormone named insulin that lets sugar move into our cells. With type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t use insulin the right way. This leads to sugar building up in the blood.

It’s serious — it can cause heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, or loss of toes, feet, or legs.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. About 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes — and many don’t even know it. If you have prediabetes and don’t make changes, you could get type 2 diabetes within 5 years.

Am I at risk?

You are more likely to have prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:

  • Are 45 years of age or older.
  • Are overweight.
  • Have a family members with type 2 diabetes.
  • Don't exercise at least three times per week, or
  • Had diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.

Talk with a doctor to check if you’re at risk — they can do a blood test to find out. You can also take the CDC's screening test.

Can I prevent type 2 diabetes?

Yes! If a doctor says you’re at risk or you have prediabetes, you can take action now. You don’t have to do it alone. The program helps you get started and stay on track.

More about the PreventT2 program

The program is called PreventT2. It is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Diabetes Prevention Program. It’s proven to help people with prediabetes stop or delay getting type 2 diabetes.

How does it help?

In the program, you’ll join a group with others and a trained lifestyle coach. Together you’ll learn how to:

  • Eat healthier foods.
  • Be more active.
  • Handle stress.
  • Recognize how your body reacts to food.

The group support helps you stay motivated and tackle challenges together.

Photo of Greg Schiltz standing near a brick wall

Greg Schiltz is your PreventT2 lifestyle coach


Does the program work?

Yes! For people with prediabetes, the program can cut the risk of type 2 diabetes in half. A study showed that losing about 5–7% of body weight (for example 10–14 pounds if you weigh 200) and making lifestyle changes lowered the risk by 58%.
For example: losing 10–14 pounds during the program helped greatly reduce diabetes risk.