Diabetes Prevention Program
Quicklinks
UC DPP lifestyle change program is one of the most effective ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes.
The UCSC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a year-long lifestyle change program that follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s approved curriculum. The program is proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and is designed for individuals who are not diabetic but are at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
DPP provides the education and tools necessary to help individuals reach their health goals. Over the course of a year, participants receive guidance from a trained lifestyle coach and benefit from supportive group sessions. Most of the sessions are held via Zoom and include discussions on nutrition education, ways to increase physical activity, ideas to stay motivated, and stress management tools. Participants build new habits, learn new skills, and build the confidence to become more active and improve their overall health.
If you have questions or would like to apply, reach out to Ashley Parker, Health and Well-being Specialist, at aseparke@ucsc.edu.
University of California, Santa Cruz is proud to be recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the success of the UCSC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Our next cohort will tentatively start January 2026 pending enrollment.
Eligibility to Participate
This program is free to all eligible faculty, staff, and family members.
To be eligible for the DPP, participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 25 or greater (individuals of Asian descent may have a BMI of 23 or greater)
- Not be previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Not be pregnant
AND one of the following:
- Have a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year (includes any of these tests and results):
- Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7%–6.4%
- Fasting plasma glucose: 100–125 mg/dL
- 2-hour plasma glucose (after a 75g glucose load): 140–199 mg/dL
- Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- Received a high-risk result (score of 5 or higher) on the Prediabetes Risk Test
January 2026 Cohort Details
DPP participants meet in small cohorts of 10-20 participants for one-hour sessions. The program provides education, encouragement, and the tools necessary to help individuals reach their health goals through lifestyle modifications.
Most sessions will be held over Zoom on Tuesdays, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Classes are one hour long and held once a week for the first three months, biweekly for month four, and monthly for months five through twelve. Please note that access to a scale is needed for the program.
Once enrolled, attendance is strongly encouraged for each session. A limited number of make up sessions will be offered.
Register for the informational Zoom session on Tuesday, January 13, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Apply for the 2026 UCSC DPP Cohort
To apply to the January 2026 cohort, please contact Ashley Parker at aseparke@ucsc.edu.
DPP Session Calendar
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| Jan 20 | Introduction to the Program |
| Jan 27 | Get Active to Prevent Type 2 |
| Feb 3 | Track Your Activity |
| Feb 10 | Eat Well to Prevent Type 2 |
| Feb 17 | Track Your Food |
| Feb 24 | Get More Active |
| Mar 3 | Energy In, Energy Out |
| Mar 10 | Eating to Support Your Health Goals |
| Mar 17 | Manage Stress |
| Mar 24 | Eat Well Away From Home |
| Mar 31 | Managing Triggers |
| Apr 7 | Stay Active To Prevent Type 2 |
| Apr 21 | Take Charge of Your Thoughts |
| May 12 | Get Back on Track |
| Jun 9 | Get Support |
| July 7 | Stay Motivated to Prevent Type 2 |
| Aug 4 | Shop and Cook to Prevent Type 2 |
| Sept 1 | More About Carbs |
| Sept 29 | Take a Movement Break |
| Oct 27 | Get Enough Sleep |
| Nov 17 | Keep Your Heart Healthy |
| Dec 15 | Prevent Type 2 For Life! |
For more information, contact:
Ashley Parker
Health Educator
Office of Risk Services
aseparke@ucsc.edu
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