DPPOS Celebrating 20 Years (1994-2014)

In 2014, DPPOS celebrated 20 years (1994-2014)! Through the DPP, we have learned that an intensive lifestyle intervention resulting in modest weight loss through diet and exercise lowered type 2 diabetes rates by 58%, and that the generic diabetes drug metformin reduced diabetes rates by 31%, relative to placebo. In the DPPOS, we found that the health benefits of both interventions continued for at least 10 years. We found that both the lifestyle intervention and metformin are cost-effective, meaning their modest net cost was well-justified by the benefits of diabetes prevention, overall improvements in health, and the reduction in other health care costs. These results have transformed the standard of care for prevention and delay of type 2 diabetes worldwide. Our collaboration has served as a ,model for how large-scale clinical studies should be accomplished - as a team of researchers, health care staff, and participants, all working together, with respect for each other and the common goal of bettering the nation's health. Read about one participant's journey: Pamela: Contributing to Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Research.