Path to Lifestyle Change program announced

In a recent article about our new diabetes prevention program, Path to Lifestyle Change, Employee Benefit News emphasizes the need for addressing pre-diabetes.  "With more than one in three American adults being pre-diabetic, every $1 out of $7 of healthcare spend is attributable to diabetes-related treatment and complications, according to research from The American Diabetes Association."

The article goes on to quote Dr. Tony Dodek, chief medical officer at AllWays Health Partners: "It's very important to do two things: raise awareness and give patients an opportunity to address this condition to prevent the development of diabetes down the road."

Path to Lifestyle Change takes prevention in a different direction

This program was created by the Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Center to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, which is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Lifestyle coaches from Mass General will help patients improve their diet and exercise regimens using a curriculum developed at the hospital. During virtual group sessions, patients will receive information and resources to help them maintain momentum and make lasting lifestyle changes. Patients will also build relationships with dietitian lifestyle interventionists who monitor their progress, motivate their success, recommend any necessary clinician intervention, and suggest other resources that Partners HealthCare and AllWays Health Partners offer.

AllWays Health Partners will be offering Path to Lifestyle Change at no additional out-of-pocket cost to members who have been identified as being at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The goal of the program is to help at-risk members reduce their weight by 7% and start exercising for 150 minutes each week. Both of these goals align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for weight control and exercise. In addition, following these benchmarks lowers one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 60% for adults and more than 70% for patients 60 and older.

Proven prevention

The program’s regimen was proven to be effective in a randomized, controlled clinical trial. The program was compared with metformin, a diabetes management drug, and found to be nearly twice as effective.

Completing the lifestyle program reduced the participants’ chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for those 60 and older), compared to metformin’s 31% risk reduction.

“We are excited to work together with AllWays Health Partners to offer this proven lifestyle program that will directly impact the health of people at risk for diabetes,” said Linda Delahanty, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition and Behavioral Research at the MGH Diabetes Center, who will direct the program. For more information, check out AllWays Health Partners’ press release.

Path to Lifestyle Change is just one of the ways that Partners HealthCare and AllWays are working to improve health outcomes, lower health care costs, and speed the detection of potentially serious conditions. Read more about our innovative programs and services.