Montana Diabetes Prevention Program Highlights and Updates
Upcoming Events
Spring Lifestyle Coach Workshop
Join us April 23, 2026, for the Spring Lifestyle Coach Workshop. This workshop is a great opportunity for Montana Lifestyle Coaches to network with other coaches, listen to speakers on various topics, and participate in activities geared around the National DPP. This event will be held at the United Way Building in Billings, MT.
Registration is now open! Please register by April 7th, by using this link Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
Find the full agenda for the spring workshop here.
Room block open until April 7th and available using this link.
NEW DSMES Workshop
The MT Diabetes Program is planning a NEW Spring DSMES Workshop on April 24th which will be held at the same location, United Way Building, using the same room block link.
This workshop is a great opportunity for DSMES programs to network with each other and participate in activities geared around DSMES. Please also feel free to share with your fellow DSMES colleagues. If you have any questions about the DMSES Workshop, please reach out to Marci Butcher Marcene.Butcher@mt.gov.
Register by visiting Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management.
New Lifestyle Coach Training
New Lifestyle Coach Training for the Diabetes Prevention Program. This training prepares coaches to deliver the CDC‑recognized lifestyle change program by covering core curriculum content, behavior‑change strategies, and effective group facilitation skills. Training will be May 11th and 12th two full days in-person in Helena, MT. Register Here by May 1, 2026: https://mdphhs.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_by02JOoqmWPNhXw
Book your hotel room by April 10th, 2026 here: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.27075.html?groupId=7D3JP2X7 [bestwestern.com]
Diabetes Prevention Spotlights
Lifestyle Coach of the Year
 Emma Bitterman has been a lifestyle coach with the DPP since 2022. This past fall, she was nominated for and awarded Lifestyle Coach of the Year at the Montana Diabetes Professional Conference. Emma brings compassion, expertise, and unwavering dedication to the Community Hospital of Anaconda’s Diabetes Prevention Program. One nominator shared, “All of the coaches bring their passion for prevention, but Emma’s was evident from the beginning.”
Emma actively supports her participants during physical activity sessions, encouraging them to move past self‑doubt and discover joy in movement. She also enhances the program’s nutrition component by preparing and sharing practical, hands‑on healthy recipes. Last year, she developed a GLP‑1–specific class tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals using these medications.
Emma exemplifies what it means to be a lifestyle coach and is truly deserving of this award for her commitment to improving the health and well‑being of those in her community.
Who will be the next Lifestyle Coach of the Year? Nominations for this year’s Lifestyle Coach of the Year will open early this fall.
Montana Success Stories
Take a moment to read this inspiring success story from the Holy Rosary Diabetes Prevention Program. Michelle’s experience shows how the right support, even virtually can empower real health improvements for those living in rural Montana. This experience shows how the Diabetes Prevention Program can not only prevent diabetes but also improve other chronic conditions
https://news.intermountainhealth.org/woman-transforms-health-with-support-of-intermountain-health-healthy-lifestyles-program/
Lifestyle Coach Spotlight
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Montana Coaches Take Expertise to Out‑of‑State Conferences and Meetings
In April three of our Montana Lifestyle Coaches will be heading to Wyoming to speak at their Diabetes Conference about their knowledge and work in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). Ida (St. James), Liane (Holy Rosary), and Paige (Logan Health-Kalispell) will take part as panelists discussing their successes and challenges of providing the NDPP in Montana.
In May, Tolly from St. Peter’s Health will participate in the Virginia Center for Diabetes Prevention & Education’s 9th Annual National DPP Meeting. She will join a panel discussing the use of GLP‑1s among participants in the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The event will be held virtually on May 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone interested in attending. It will be worth 2 hours of Advanced Lifestyle Coach Training.
Registration Cost ($89) - https://med.virginia.edu/vcdpe/vcdpes-9th-annual-national-dpp-meeting/
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Helpful Information
State of Diabetes in the Nation
About this Report
The National Diabetes Statistics Report provides up-to-date information on the prevalence and incidence of diabetes and prediabetes, risk factors for complications, acute and long-term complications, death, and costs.
Purpose and Impact
Data in the report can help focus efforts to prevent and control diabetes across the United States. This report is continually updated as data become available. This report fulfills the requirement mandated by the Catalyst to Better Diabetes Care Act of 2009 (Section 10407 of Public Law 111-148). While these statistics are sobering, with more than 40 million Americans having diabetes, and more than 27% of adults with diabetes not knowing they have it, the report highlights the importance of our work. Our programs, such as "Do I Have Prediabetes?" (which turns 10 this year), the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and DSMES are vital to reducing the devastation of diabetes across the nation. We hope to use this updated report as fuel towards our work as we go into 2026 with fresh ideas, renewed energy, and a continued passion for public health.
We encourage you to take a look at the new website and familiarize yourself with the new numbers. It's important to note that, while the numbers are larger than in the past, they were compiled using updated methodology and do not necessarily represent an increase in incidence and prevalence. National Diabetes Statistics Report
Diabetes Prevention in the News
Risk Factors Identified for Progression to Diabetes
Adults ages 35 to 64 with prediabetes are more likely than younger adults to develop Type 2 diabetes. Comorbidities such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea were also associated with increased risk of progression, according to a study of almost 100,000 adults published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism [r.smartbrief.com]. Higher baseline HbA1C levels were also associated with increased rates of progression.
Full Story: Medscape [r.smartbrief.com] (3/26)
Removal of Once-Per-Lifetime Limit for MDPP Beneficiary Participation
Change to MDPP that expands access for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Previously, beneficiaries could only participate in MDPP services once in their lifetime. However, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148), signed into law on February 3, 2026, has eliminated this once-per-lifetime restriction. This means that eligible beneficiaries who previously participated in MDPP may now enroll again if they continue to meet all eligibility requirements. Read about this and more MDPP updates in the MDPP March 2026 Newsletter.
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Connected Community
Connected Community provides a communication and collaboration opportunity for the Montana DPP.
Through Connected Community Lifestyle Coaches can find a discussion board, shared files, upcoming events, other resources. Sign up for Connected Community and be added to the Montana Lifestyle Coach Network. For more information visit Home - Association of Montana Public Health Officials
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