HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County wants to help you reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, so they're offering a free program for certain residents.
Participants will work with trained lifestyle coaches to form healthy eating habits and exercise routines.
The first class will begin 10 a.m. on May 24, at the DOH-Hillsborough Floyd Kelton Clinic, located at 4704-B W Montgomery Ave in Tampa.
A Spanish-only class begins 2 p.m. on June 13, at the WellCare Health Plans Center, located at 8328 N Florida Ave in Tampa.
The first round is limited to just 15 participants, and more rounds will be offered based on demand.
To qualify for the program, a person must be overweight and at risk of developing diabetes. Many factors increase the risk for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes including:
• Being 45 years of age or older.
• Having a family member with diabetes.
• Having a family background of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American-Indian, Asian-American, or Pacific-Islander.
• Having had diabetes while being pregnant (gestational diabetes), or having given birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.
• Being physically active less than three times a week.
Residents who are interested in the diabetes prevention program should call (813) 907-8015 ext. 7111 or emailprograminfo@flhealth.gov.
