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Free and low-cost resources available to improve your health, anywhere across the state
March 18, 2022 — In Alaska, adults can get support to add more daily activity, maintain a healthy weight, and make other changes by joining free or low-cost programs offered through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. These programs are provided by phone, online, and in-person, so Alaskans can pick the one that works best for them.
Ongoing conditions like prediabetes, diabetes, and high blood pressure can increase chances for other serious health problems like kidney damage, heart disease and stroke. Alaska’s health department offers many programs to help adults feel better by preventing these conditions or managing ones they already have.
All of these programs support building healthy habits, but no one has to do that alone. After joining the programs, you will talk with coaches, connect with other people who’ve joined, and focus on reducing stress while increasing energy.
YEARLONG PROGRAMS TO PREVENT DIABETES
Ready to make a change?
Choose the right program for you, either on the phone, online, or in-person.
Not that long ago, the only options available for health improvement programs were in-person. That’s a great match for some people, and the Alaska health department continues to offer those in many Alaska communities. In the past 5 years, however, the department added new programs for people who prefer meeting on the phone or computer. Adding these options made these programs available to Alaskans living in every corner of the state, not just larger communities. These new phone and online programs are also available at no cost to eligible Alaskans. They’re great for people who want more flexibility fitting the program into their own schedules.
Each program offered in Alaska has been shown to improve health — no matter if it’s delivered in-person, by phone or through computer.
IN-PERSON
Available in: Anchorage, Palmer, Kenai, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Explore the programs nearest you on the Diabetes Prevention Programs website and call to apply.
$ Cost: Please contact the program nearest you for cost. Payment plans and financial assistance are typically available.
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TELEPHONE
This program is run through InquisitHealth.
To apply for the program, contact Leslie Shallcross at 907-242-6138, email lashallcross@alaska.edu, or fill out this form.
$ Cost: Free to eligible Alaskans
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PROGRAMS TO MANAGE DIABETES
IN-PERSON
Available in: Anchorage, Bethel, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, and Soldotna.
Explore the program nearest you on the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support website and call to apply.
$ Cost: Please contact the program nearest you for cost. It may also be covered by insurance. Payment plans and financial assistance are typically available.
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PROGRAMS TO MANAGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE*
IN-PERSON
Available in: Anchorage, Ankiak, Homer, Cordova, Homer, Juneau, Petersburg, Sitka, Soldotna, Unalaska, and Valdez.
Explore available programs in the left-hand column of this email, and contact to apply.
$ Cost: Please contact the program nearest you for cost. It may also be covered by insurance. Payment plans and financial assistance are typically available.
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*High blood pressure programs can be taken together with diabetes prevention or management programs.
Each Alaska program provides a coach for support.
While these programs focus on different health conditions, they all use a similar approach of matching participants with a coach. These coaches are specially trained to help you meet your health goals. For example, your coach may:
- Work with you to prepare healthy versions of local foods
- Share events in your community that can help you be more active
- Connect you with groups focused on certain topics, like shift work or preparing healthy food on a budget
Joining these programs can help you feel better now and for years to come. Melanie, living in Anchorage, noticed her blood sugar numbers were going up and that she was gaining weight. She said she knew that increased her chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Several years ago, Melanie joined an in-person program in Anchorage to prevent getting diabetes.
She made changes during the program, like tracking her food and lowering her stress.
“I learned how to manage stress by walking during my lunch breaks,” Melanie shared, while telling her story to others in Alaska.
By the end of the program, she had lost weight and her blood sugar and blood pressure had returned to healthy levels.
“Completing the program was the best decision I ever made for my health,” she said.
Not sure about your chances of getting prediabetes and type 2 diabetes? Take this online prediabetes risk test.
Read more about these types of programs on CDC Prevention Lifestyle Change Programs.
Visit the Diabetes Prevention and Control program page for more information. |
