Prediabetes and diabetes prevention deserve renewed attention in every corner of Whatcom County – especially in Blaine, Birch Bay, and neighboring communities, where local partnerships can make a lasting impact.
November, designated as National Diabetes Awareness Month, is the ideal time to take stock of that need. Since 1982, this observance has served as a national call to action, improving care for people living with diabetes while also spotlighting prevention strategies that can save lives.
As diabetologists and nephrologists with experience in public health epidemiology, we witness firsthand the urgency to bring diabetes education, prevention, and awareness to the forefront.
The Blaine Senior Center is now called the Blaine Community Center. It welcomes residents of all ages, making it a promising venue to host the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) starting in 2026.
Local schools could play a vital role too, by inviting physicians, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to speak with students about preventing diabetes and maintaining lifelong health. And, as the YMCA currently provides DPP classes in Bellingham, establishing similar offerings in Blaine and Birch Bay would extend access to this essential education and support in north Whatcom County.
Starting in the late 1990s, groundbreaking research proved that type 2 diabetes could be prevented through lifestyle changes. This milestone led to the creation of the DPP in 2010, a nationwide initiative offering evidence-based education and coaching to help individuals lower their risk of developing diabetes.
Approximately 33-44 percent of DPP participants with prediabetes return to normal glucose, some within one year.
Those who lose at least 10 percent of body weight may see success rates as high as 64 percent.
Returning to normal glucose levels reduces long-term diabetes risk by more than half compared to remaining prediabetic.
Remission is more likely with younger age and higher program adherence.
These results are based on extensive U.S. clinical trials and large-scale DPP community programs.
Here in Whatcom County, we stand at a pivotal moment to improve progress. With new leadership in our public health department under Champ Thomaskutty, a seasoned epidemiologist, there is a fresh opportunity to strengthen our focus on chronic disease prevention and health equity across the county. But the true success of that effort depends on community participation – from senior and community centers to schools, workplaces and local organizations working hand-in-hand to bring diabetes prevention resources closer to where people live.
Why is this so critical? Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease and kidney failure in the U.S. Chronic high blood sugar damages the kidneys’ delicate blood vessels, often leading to dialysis or transplantation, life-altering treatments that carry tremendous emotional and economic costs. Even more concerning, type 2 diabetes is increasingly seen in children as young as 10, exposing them to decades of heightened risk for kidney and heart complications.
Treatments such as dialysis are among the most expensive in healthcare. The financial toll affects not only families, but also insurers, employers, and taxpayers. In contrast, investments in prevention – community classes, healthy lifestyle programs and early screenings – yield measurable savings and improve quality of life for all.
Our county health department already supports vital public health work, from immunizations to maternal nutrition programs. Expanding its reach to include diabetes prevention is both a logical and necessary next step. With coordinated leadership and local partnerships, Whatcom County can champion a proactive model of community-based health promotion.
National Diabetes Month is more than a reminder. It is an invitation to act. By working together across sectors this November and beyond, we can slow the rising tide of diabetes, protect kidney health, and strengthen the overall well-being of our communities from Blaine and Birch Bay to Semiahmoo to Point Roberts and beyond.
Sandhya Gelou is a triple board-certified physician in private practice in Bellingham. She completed her residency at Duke University Medical Center and is a fellowship-trained diabetologist and a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
Dr. Jimmy Thomas is a board-certified nephrologist with Washington Kidney Care in Bellingham. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and pursued fellowship training at the University of Washington. He holds a master’s degree in public health in epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.
