Kick off the new year with a healthy fresh start
Alaska has free and low-cost programs to help you meet your health goals
DECEMBER 16, 2025 — Are you ready to feel better in the new year? Alaska has many programs to help you meet your health goals, often for no or low cost.
The Alaska Department of Health shares these programs in one place through its Fresh Start campaign. The Fresh Start website connects you to programs to:
Quit smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco
During the past year, over 1,500 Alaskans enrolled in the free, confidential Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line to get support to stop smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco.
Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line helps you create a personalized quit plan. This includes free quit coaching over the phone, through an app or online. The Quit Line also provides free nicotine replacement therapy like patches, gum or lozenges.
Sign up by:
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Calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
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Texting READY to 34191
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Visiting AlaskaQuitLine.com
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Talk to your health care provider about more resources to help, such as using quit smoking medications.
Achieve a healthy weight and prevent diabetes
Alaskans who want to achieve a healthy weight or prevent diabetes can join low-cost or free programs to meet those goals.
One type of program is a nationally recognized Diabetes Prevention Program, shortened to DPP. The Alaska health department works with organizations based in a dozen local communities and with an online partnership to provide these DPP programs in ways that work best for participants. Alaska adults who want to lose weight and prevent diabetes can find programs offered in-person, online, or through a mix of in-person and online.
If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for the DPP, you may be eligible for another option offered through the Alaska Department of Health’s online partnership with Health and Lifestyle Training (HALT). That option is called a Healthy Lifestyle program to lose weight and make other changes for your health.
Manage diabetes
Alaska’s health department has similar partnerships with local organizations to offer programs focused on managing diabetes. These are called Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs.
Visit the Fresh Start website and read more about programs to manage diabetes. Then visit this Alaska health department diabetes education website and scroll to the headline that reads “How to sign up: Find an Alaska-based program near you.” This section shares links to local organizations in 10 communities that provide programs to manage diabetes. Some of these organizations also can enroll Alaskans who don’t live in that community, but who can participate online to manage diabetes.
Lower blood pressure
Alaskans can lower their blood pressure through Fresh Start programs that are available in-person, online, or through a combination of in-person and online. Visit the “Lower blood pressure” section of the Fresh Start website to read more and click to apply.
When you’re ready to make a health change,
Fresh Start is ready to help you achieve it.
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