Prevention

Over time, diabetes can cause serious health issues, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

The Florida Department of Health uses a data-driven diabetes prevention lifestyle change program recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you build healthy new habits and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

When you join a lifestyle change program, you will learn, laugh, share stories, try new things and build new habits that can last a lifetime.

Florida’s county health departments are leaders in diabetes prevention and management and host diabetes prevention programs.

Local Programs

Community-Based Diabetes Prevention ProgramS

County health departments are leaders in diabetes prevention and management and host diabetes prevention programs:

Florida Department of Health in Alachua County
224 South East 24th St.
Gainesville, FL 32641
352-334-7962

Florida Department of Health in Bay County
597 West 11th St.
Panama City, FL 32401
850-872-4455, Ext. 1460

Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County
1100 Loveland Blvd
Port Charlotte, FL 33980-1802
941-624-7200, Ext. 7273

Florida Department of Health in Citrus County
3700 West Sovereign Path
Lecanto, FL 34461
352-527-0068

Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
1295 West Fairfield Drive
Pensacola, FL 32501
850-316-2764

Florida Department of Health in Flagler County
120 Airport Road
Palm Coast, FL 32164
386-323-7264 or 386-313-7263

Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County
278 Lasalle Leffall Drive
Quincy, FL 32351
850-875-7200

Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
4704-B Montgomery Ave.
Tampa, FL 33616
813-307-8071

Florida Department of Health in Indian River County
1900 27th St.
Vero Beach, FL 32960 
772-794-7400

Florida Department of Health in Jackson County
4979 Healthy Way
Marianna, FL 32446
850-526-2412, Ext. 282

Florida Department of Health in Martin County
3441 SE Willoughby Blvd.
Stuart, FL 34994
772-221-4987

Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County
800 Clematis St.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-671-4161

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County
2801 Kennedy St.
Palatka, FL 32177
386-326-3277 or 386-326-3223

Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County
5527 Stewart St.
Milton, FL 32570
850-983-5200 

Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County
2200 Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34237
941-861-2900

Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County
5150 NW Milner Dr.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
772-873-4906

Florida Department of Health in Union County
495 E. Main St.
Lake Butler, FL 32054
386-496-3211

Statewide Program Partners

The Florida Department of Health has partnered with various organizations that provide resources for National Diabetes Prevention Program. Some of these partners include:

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Programs

These formal programs adhere to national standards designed to help participants learn practical skills to manage diabetes.

Program leaders, including clinicians, dietitians, nurses, and other health professionals, can provide these services virtually or in person, and they can meet participants individually or in a group setting.

The support provides people with information to help manage diabetes, such as:

  • Understanding the disease
  • How medication works
  • What foods are best to eat
  • Coping with emotions and stress
  • Working with your provider to get needed support
  • Self-management tools and apps
  • Reducing your risk for other health complications
Local Programs

The following county health departments offer quality diabetes self-management education and support services:

Florida Department of Health in Alachua County
224 SE 24th St.
Gainesville, FL 32641
352-334-7962

Florida Department of Health in Bay County
597 W. 11th St.
Panama City, FL 32401
850-252-9656 or 850-252-6609

Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County 
1105 E. Kennedy Blvd. 
Tampa, FL 33602
813-307-8009

Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County
1255 W. Washington St.
Monticello, FL 32344
850-342-0170

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County
2801 Kennedy St.
Palatka, FL 32177
386-326-3200

Selecting a Quality Program

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) determine if a diabetes self-management education and support program meets the required national standards.

Find a Local recognized/accredited program

Search for an ADA-recognized or ADCES-accredited diabetes education program in your area.

Statewide Program Partners

The Florida Department of Health has partnered with various organizations that provide resources for diabetes self-management education and support. Some of these partners include:

Insurance Coverage for Program(s)

Under section 627.6408, Florida Statutes, private health insurance must provide coverage for diabetes self-management education if a patient’s physician determines that these services are necessary.

If you have any difficulty with insurance covering diabetes self-management education, contact Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation at 877-693-5236.

Diabetes Support Programs

Diabetes support programs and services complement formal diabetes programs by helping people with diabetes practice self-management behaviors and address challenges that occur in daily life. Trained health educators, peer educators, or clinicians can facilitate these group programs.

Local Programs

The following county health departments offer quality diabetes support programs:

Florida Department of Health in Citrus County
3700 W. Sovereign Path
Lecanto, FL 34461
352-527-0068

Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
1295 W. Fairfield Drive
Pensacola, FL 32501
850-316-2764

Florida Department of Health in Seminole County
400 W. Airport Blvd.
Sanford, FL 32773
407-665-3026

Learn More About the Diabetes Advisory Council