Members of the Southcoast Worksite Health & Wellness Collaborative enjoyed a presentation on April 9, 2015 on a new Diabetes Prevention Program that is being offered by the YMCA Southcoast at their locations in Dartmouth, Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham. Research has shown that 15-30 percent of overweight people with pre-diabetes will develop type2 diabetes within five years unless they lose weight and increase their physical activity. Program Director Dara Midwood described the program at the monthly meeting and explained how employees could participate in the program on their own time after work. Ms. Midwood is also available to offer the program at worksites provided that a minimum number of ten participants are signed up. Click here for a 22-minute video of her presentation. The monthly Collaborative meetings, often held at the Sylvia Insurance Company headquarters on Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth, offer presentations on a number of topics related to worksite wellness. Past meetings have focused on healthy eating, stress in the workplace, ergonomics, CPR, and on substance abuse. Click here, here, here and here for video of previous presentations at the Collaborative meetings. Anyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP Chairperson Angela Bras at 774-400-4466.

(Top row) Southcoast Health Employee Wellness Coordinator Kristi Aimone talks with Partners Worksite Wellness Coordinator and Collaborative Chairperson Angela Bras who then confers with Elaine Couto of Joseph Abboud Manufacturing in New Bedford. (Middle row) Dara Midwood presents the Diabetes Prevention Program based on the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program which demonstrated a 58 percent reduction in risk among program participants. (Bottom row) Southcoast Worksite Health & Wellness Collaborative Chairperson Angela Bras and Sylvia Insurance Wellness Coordinator Julie Jennings thank Dara for her presentation and ask some follow-up questions.