The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is expanding its type 2 diabetes pre­vention efforts in schools in response to an increased prevalence of the disease. The Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes Prevention Toolkit for Schools, recently released by the Public Health Department in response to a November 2021 motion by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, 1st District, provides K-12 campuses with school-based resources to help create environments that support healthy eating and engagement in regular physical activity.

“More children and teenagers, particularly from communities of color, are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and we must act to address this key social determinant of health,” Solis said. “Fortunately, a type 2 diabetes diagnosis can be prevented with early intervention, including increasing access to a healthy diet and encouraging phys­ical activity, which is why I was proud to lead a motion to address the incidents of diabetes for Los Angeles County residents, includ­ing our children. This toolkit will help our schools improve access to healthy meals, reduce food waste and provide culturally relevant messaging geared toward our diverse students and their families.”

The percentage of individuals diagnosed with diabetes has increased in Los Angeles County over the last decade, from 9.5% in 2011 to 11.3% in 2018. Type 2 dia­betes disproportionately affects Blacks (14.4%) and Hispanic/Latino Americans (13.6%), with the lowest preva­lence among Asian Americans (8.2%).

“Historically, interventions to reduce diabetes rates have focused on individual behaviors. But while it’s true that lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of diabetes, the fact of the matter is entire communities are suffering from a lack of access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity because of upstream factors that are out of their control,” Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer said. “In this context, we rec­ognize that schools are uniquely poised to create environments that support students’ physical, social and mental health. This toolkit will empower K-12 schools in Los Angeles County to do just that.”

The Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes Prevention Toolkit for Schools outlines free and low-cost intervention strategies for schools in 10 categories: physical education and physical activity; nutrition environment and services; health education; social and emotional cli­mate; physical environment; health services; counseling, psychologi­cal, and social services; employee wellness; community involvement; and family engagement. Some of the strategies outlined in the toolkit are already being implemented by partner organizations working with the CalFresh Healthy Living Program.

For information and to view the toolkit, visit ph.lacounty.gov.