(P200) Better Together: Partnered Approach to Elevating Engagement in National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Change Programs

Key Takeaways of Your Research: 1. Participants enrolled in the family/friend partner-specific National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program were engaged in the sessions, got support from their partners, and expressed that they would continue the lifestyle changes they made beyond the end of the program. 2. Selecting the right family/friend partner is important to success; this is not always a spouse or someone in the household. Commitment to working together on meeting program goals and regular communication are important to consider when making partner choices. 3. Lifestyle Coaches were enthusiastic about working with family/friend partners and expressed that the materials developed for the implementation of the family/friend partner-specific approach were what they needed to facilitate program sessions. While all Lifestyle Coaches said that they would like to continue to conduct family/friend partner-specific programs, two expressed that they would like to exclusively conduct National DPP lifestyle change programs as partnered cohorts.

Background/Purpose: The National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program is a structured, evidence-based, year-long program designed to prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes. Involving family/friends can maximize the opportunity for participants to make more significant and lasting lifestyle changes. The study team explored the acceptability, engagement, and outcomes of jointly enrolling a family member, spouse, or friend in National DPP LCPs. Research Hypothesis and/or Research Questions and Specific

Aims: Hypothesis: Participants will be more willing to join a diabetes prevention lifestyle change program if they believe they have the necessary external support from a family/friend partner. We speculate that this external support will help them stay in the program through completion and be successful in making lifestyle changes. Methods/Methodology: We developed tools for recruitment and implementation of the family/friend partner-specific lifestyle change program (LCP). We worked with six National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) delivery organizations in Maryland (urban/suburban and rural). Evaluation data collections using administrative data, focus groups and surveys with participants and 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month in-depth interviews with Lifestyle Coaches.

Results: Sixty-eight individuals in 34 pairs enrolled in six programs; 56 were eligible under National DPP LCP requirements. Sixty-eight percent of all participants were retained across the 12-month LCPs. 21 of 34 pairs were retained across the 12-month period (62%); 42 people in pairs and 4 people who were left in the program alone. Forty-four of 56 (78%) who were eligible under National DPP LCP requirements were retained across the 12-month LCPs. All Lifestyle Coaches provided positive feedback about the family/friend partner-specific approach. Coaches expressed they would conduct family/friend partner-specific LCPs again. Participants were enthusiastic about the program. They worked together and felt accountable to their partner. Conclusions (Impact on Diabetes Care and Education): A partnered approach to offering diabetes prevention programming appears to work well for people who join. The family/friend partner-specific approach may bring more people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes to the National DPP LCP because they can include friends and family who are willing to join with them, which ultimately might lead to a reduction in the incidence rates of type 2 diabetes. Source of Funding for this Research: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Contract #75D30120C09126. Period of Performance: 09/01/2020 - 08/31/2022. Authors: Rebecca Ledsky, MBA; FHI 360, Washington DC, Cynthia Baur, PhD; University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park MD, Allison Elkins, MPH; FHI 360, Washington DC, Monica Miller, BA; FHI 360, Washington DC, Thomas C. Lehman, MA; FHI 360, Washington DC, Kathleen Pellechia, MS, RDN, PMP; FHI 360, Washington DC, Lisa Tensuan, RN, BSN; FHI 360, Washington DC, LaShonda Hulbert, MPH; CyberData Technologies, Herndon VA, Yvonne Mensa-Wilmot, PhD; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation, Atlanta GA.