Prediabetes
Are you at risk for prediabetes?
Prediabetes happens when your blood sugar levels are consistently higher than normal. Because prediabetes doesn't always show signs or symptoms, more than 4 out of 5 of people who have prediabetes don't know they have it. While prediabetes doesn’t affect everyone the same way, the good news is it can often be reversed.
Differences in where you were born or grew up, your income level, job conditions, neighborhood, and access to resources like healthy food and quality health care all play a role in your ability to prevent or manage prediabetes. These factors may affect both your risk for chronic diseases and how well treatments will work.
Take the one-minute risk test. If your score indicates you might be at risk, work with your health care provider to address areas of concern. Typically making a few lifestyle changes to reduce your risk and lower your blood sugar levels can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Don’t wait to find out if you’re at risk.
Know the risks
If you have one or more of these characteristics, you may be at higher risk than others for developing prediabetes, and eventually, type 2 diabetes:
- Being overweight
- Being 45 or older
- Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Physically active less than three times per week
- Ever having gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome
- Having high blood pressure
- Being a man
- Belonging to certain racial or ethnic groups, including African American, Latinx American, American Indian, Pacific Islander, and some Asian American communities
- Experiencing trauma, abuse or neglect during childhood
Worried you may be at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes? Don't wait. Take the one-minute risk test. It's an easy first step to stopping higher than normal blood sugar from damaging your health.
They found out and changed it
Hear from people just like you, who learned about their risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes and decided to take action. Visit Take Control of Your Health to find out why joining a lifestyle change program worked for them or visit Your Health with Joan Lunden to see more prediabetes success stories.
Don't go it alone
Making small, positive changes to your everyday habits isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Lifestyle change programs connect you with experienced coaches and people who face similar challenges, giving you guidance and support to build healthy habits. Don’t wait. You really can lower your blood sugar and prevent type 2 diabetes—and there are resources in your community to guide you each step of the way.
Find a Diabetes Prevention Program
Take the next step
The first step to preventing or reversing prediabetes? Getting the facts. Learn about the dangerous myths that make prediabetes seem more harmless than it is, find out what you can do to reduce your risk, and more.
Spread the word
As a local health partner, you can help people understand their risk for prediabetes and expose them to resources that can help them live healthier lives.
Browse our library of materials which can help educate and provide clear next steps.