The Lenoir County Health Department is doing a screening soon to help residents check to see if there’s a threat of Type 2 diabetes.

There will be a screening set for Wednesday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the health department, located on McLewean St. In the Lenoir County Health Department’s PreventT2 lifestyle change program, participants will work in a group with a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills needed to lose weight, become more physically active, and manage stress. PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  proven to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

The local program will be offered to local minority residents. PreventT2 groups will meet for a year — weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month from there.

The Lenoir County Health Department in partnership with UNC Lenoir Health Care, Kinston Community Health Center, and the Lenoir County Alliance for a Healthy Community recently conducted the 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment, with results bringing in a startling realization.

“Our 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment reported that diabetes is a major issue within Lenoir County,” health educator and trained lifestyle coach Kiahna Johnson said. “Diabetes was ranked No. 1 as the ‘Most Significant Health Need’ in Lenoir County according to the study, and about 35 percent of the Medicare population — persons aged 65 years or older — were treated for diabetes. Nearly 16 percent of adults ages 20 and older have been diagnosed with diabetes. In the PreventT2 program, participants will have the opportunity to prevent Type 2 diabetes by making lasting lifestyle changes.”

Residents can also learn how to enroll by calling the health department at (252) 526-4200 or visiting www.co.lenoir.nc.us/health.html. A complete 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment can be found by visiting the website.