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The National Diabetes Prevention Program promoted by Chicago CARES is expanding to health care providers across Illinois, and is now covered by Illinois Medicaid! Learn more here.

If you live outside of Chicago, visit the Illinois CARES Find a Class tab to find a free online class now.

How it Works

DPP takes the guess work out of how to make a meaningful lifestyle change, giving you resources to learn how to live a healthy life – for free. And the best part is, you will have the support you need through a year-long class to make the change permanent, including:

 

      • A trained lifestyle support coach to guide and encourage you
      • Support from other participants with the same goals as you
      • Weekly meetings for the first six months and monthly meetings for the second six months
      • Skills you need to lose weight, be more active, and manage stress

Make a Change

Don’t Wait!

Without making a change, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. We urge you to take advantage of this free program, avoid the hassle of pills and needles, and make a healthy lifestyle change for good.

Contact a community health care provider by phone or email to sign up for the next online or in-person session of free DPP classes.

Contacta a la organización por teléfono o correo electrónico para inscribirte en la próxima clase gratuita de DPP.

Contact a Local Organization

Advocate Trinity Hospital

Call, click to email, or click to register

Rukiyat Lawal
773-967-4846

The Chicago Lighthouse

Erie Family Health Centers

Call, click to email, or click to register

Rosio Patino
312-432-7362

Mercy Hospital and Medical Center

Call or click to email to register

Donielle Wells
312-567-5614

Mile Square Health Center

Call or click to email to register

Angela Ware
312-413-1725

Sheila Harmon
312-996-4656

Near North Health

Call or click to email to register

Anna Anderson
312-337-1073
Ext. 4123

Sinai Urban Health Institute

Call or click to email to register

Aidyn Ocon
773-257-2431

Universidad Popular

Call or click to email Victoria to register

Victoria Nava Torres
773-962-1704

Meet María

My name is María Ocampo Flores, I’m a resident of Back-of-the-Yards, mother of three and grandmother of two. Recently, due to health complications in my knees, I had to stop working. During a visit at Esperanza Health Clinic, my doctor told me about the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).

This program has helped me better my health and my mood. Most of all, it has helped me to develop a healthier diet and become more informed about prediabetes. Since I began the program, I have made overcoming prediabetes, taking care of my health and weight my top goals. I enjoy the classes and the support given to program participants, as it’s an opportunity for us to empower ourselves and to be healthier.

The health and safety of our community is our top priority.

Chicago CARES Diabetes Prevention Program classes have been affected differently by COVID-19, so please contact the organization directly to learn more about current classes and future class enrollment. We encourage you to stay connected by checking our page for updates and following us via our Twitter and Facebook pages.