Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2005- Mid-Southerners at risk for diabetes now will have a chance to access lifestyle interventions and education to prevent the disease altogether, thanks to a recent grant from Aetna Inc. awarded to Baptist Rehabilitation-Germantown – one of five sites chosen for the national study.

A landmark study conducted by the Diabetes Prevention Program in 2001 found that diet and exercise could lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58 percent for those Americans with impaired glucose tolerance, a condition that often precedes the disease. Prompted by these findings, Aetna Inc. awarded a grant to fund a study known as “Mastering Pre-Diabetes with Healthy Lifestyle and Weight Loss,” aimed at giving participants the tools needed to make healthy, informed choices.

“Our team of experts at Baptist will guide participants through healthy eating, moderate physical activity and healthy lifestyle changes – an approach that has been scientifically demonstrated to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes,” said Kathy Gratton, diabetes nurse educator who spearheads the hospital’s Diabetes Education and Management Center.

Targeting African-Americans, who are at increased risk for diabetes, the study also seeks to help participants lose 5 to 10 percent of body weight to reduce the risk of developing the disease. The hospital’s goal is to recruit 100 participants locally in the yearlong study. There are specific criteria for participation, and a physician referral is required.

Locally, participants will access education and lifestyle modification measures through Baptist Germantown’s Diabetes Education and Management Center, located within the hospital at 2120 Exeter Road, or at the satellite location at Baptist Rehabilitation-Midtown, 1111 Union Ave.

Diabetes affects 18 million Americans and is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. The total annual economic cost of diabetes in 2002 was estimated to be $132 billion, or one out of every 10 health care dollars spent in the United States.

Baptist Germantown’s Diabetes Education and Management Center offers a comprehensive approach, including an initial evaluation with each patient. During this phase, staff works one-on-one with the patient to develop goals and an individualized plan of care, which can include nutritional counseling, physical therapy intervention, individualized exercise plans, wound care services, glucose monitoring, as well as group classes on healthy eating and other wellness topics.

As one of the nation's leading providers of health care, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care benefits, Aetna puts information and helpful resources to work for its approximately 14.435 million medical members, 12.976 million dental members, 9.117 million pharmacy members and 13.662 million group insurance members to help them make better informed decisions about their health care and protect their finances against health-related risks. Aetna provides easy access to cost-effective health care through a nationwide network of more than 684,000 health care professionals, including more than 405,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 4,135 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com.

For more information about the study, please call (901) 757-3414.

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