Diabetes Prevention Program CDC Collaborative

The National Diabetes Prevention Program or National DPP was created in 2010 to address the increasing burden of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in the United States.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program—or National DPP—was created in 2010 to address the increasing burden of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in the United States. This national effort created partnerships between public and private organizations to offer evidence-based, cost-effective interventions that help prevent type 2 diabetes in communities across the United States.

One key feature of the National DPP is the CDC-recognized lifestyle change program, a research-based program focusing on healthy eating and physical activity which showed that people with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60 years old).

For more information, view the National DPP Infographic pdf
The Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center offers online diabetes education and patient referrals through the DPP program. To sign up for a screening and join the program please visit our registration form

The Oral Health Program

The Oral Health Outreach Program delivers oral health education, support, and resources to all age groups across all demographics in all 9 counties on

Maryland’s Eastern Shore with the primary goal of decreasing the rate of oral disease and improving the oral and overall health of at-risk populations in our communities.

For our earliest learners in the 0–7-year-old age group we offer the much loved and adored “Tooth Fairy’s Helper Program”, where program coordinator Mrs. Donohue-Vega dresses up as The Tooth Fairy’s Helper and uses puppets, marionettes and “Toothy Tunes” in which the lyrics of popular children’s songs have been changed to deliver the oral health message. The program is interactive and encourages our early learners to take part in the lesson. Every child in attendance receives a dental health kit, which includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, 2-
minute timer, sticker, brochures, and local dental clinic information.

Through education and providing oral hygiene products we aim to decrease the rate of oral disease amongst our youth, which we know will help to improve school attendance and academic performance in addition to having a direct benefit on the overall health of our youth population. The target population of this program is 0–7-year old’s at Library playgroups, Judy Centers, Head Start Programs and Title I schools.

REACH Program

The REACH program will: Reduce disparities, Educate minorities, And encourage individuals to take charge of their health through, Community collaboration and, Healthy living

The REACH program will:

• Reduce disparities
• Educate minorities
• And encourage individuals to take charge of their health through
• Community collaboration and
• Healthy living

This initiative uses the Community Health Worker (CHW) model to deliver screenings and education to the target population to eliminate health inequities, improve health outcomes and close disparity gaps so that every resident has the tools and power to achieve optimal health. Complete our partnership form to learn more about collaboration opportunities with the REACH Program.

Aging Simulation Program

The program goal is to establish partnerships with high schools/ teachers to promote interest in careers in healthcare by presenting programs to high school science classes grades 9- 12.

The Age Simulation course introduces students to the aging process and how it can impair senses overtime. The instructor uses simulation glasses, hearing impairment ear plugs, dried beans in shoes and surgical gloves for arthritis. Our programs also allow students to tour medical stimulation labs at local colleges.

Eastern Shore E.P.O.P.S. Program

Eastern Shore E.P.O.P.S. or Elder POPulation Simulation program (formally known as ASST) is based on the success of the GAIT (Geriatric Assessment Interdisciplinary Team) model.

The E.P.O.P.S. program is a hands-on workshop utilizing props, individual and group activities, and discussions to promote understanding, empathy, and sensitivity to the sensory losses of the elderly. Over the past 17 years, this program has offered more than 90 sessions with 1,869 participants trained. For more information or to book an E.P.O.P.S training session please email Lisa Widmaier at lwidmaier@esahec.org.

Teen HPV and Vaping Prevention Program

“The Smile of a Lifetime Starts Now” is a teen HPV and Vaping Prevention

Program to present the facts and inform teens of the risks associated with tobacco addiction and sexually transmitted infections as it relates to oral health.

Success Highlights: Victory in legislation with the passing of adult dental coverage for Medicare! Lastly, the program coordinator serves as an oral health liaison to an array of community partners that request oral health training of their staff. Through community partnerships we hope to increase awareness regarding the effects that oral disease has on overall health and what we can do to help others achieve oral health while improving quality of life