BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Health Department is bringing back its diabetes prevention and control program, offering residents new resources to combat the widespread disease.
“We’re rolling out several new initiatives,” said Health Department Director Eric Mills. “And we’re excited to have Lakean Meade join us as the new diabetes program director. She’s a registered nurse and nationally certified lifestyle coach.”
Meade will lead two types of classes at the health department: Diabetes Prevention Programming (DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). Both are free and open to adults 18 and older.
The DPP classes are designed for individuals who have not yet been diagnosed with diabetes. DSMES targets those already diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, individuals with a history of gestational diabetes, or those identified as high risk through prediabetes screening.
“Diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, which Lakean can help people manage,” Mills said.
“Anyone can come in for an A1C test and we can guide them on the next steps. If someone’s A1C is elevated, it means they’re at risk, and we want to step in before it becomes full-blown diabetes.”
The health department is hosting an informational reception at noon Thursday, Oct. 24, where attendees can enjoy a light lunch and healthy snacks while learning about the program.
The DPP is a yearlong program with weekly meetings for the first six months, followed by twice-monthly meetings for the remaining six months. Mills emphasized that the program will be engaging and approachable, not overwhelming.
“It’s going to be a fun, educational experience,” he said. “Lakean’s personality is perfect for this role—she’ll make it interesting and practical, not just about learning but applying those skills in real life.”
The program will focus on healthy eating and physical activity, with participants working toward lifestyle changes. Incentives like gift cards and recognition will be offered along the way, similar to weight-loss competitions.
“We’ve renovated our kitchen and will use it to teach healthy cooking,” Mills said. “We want everyone to feel welcome—whether you’re struggling with sweets, live a sedentary lifestyle, or just want to improve your health. This will be a supportive, social space where people can find encouragement.”
Stress management will also be part of the program, helping participants stay on track even after setbacks.
“It’s not one-size-fits-all,” Meade noted. “We’ll help people find ways to incorporate exercise into their busy lives. Many think they don’t have time for physical activity, but we’ll show them how to stay active without needing an hour at the gym. It’s going to be a learning process for all of us and we’ll do it together.”
Mills and Meade are both passionate about the program’s potential impact.
“We’re reaching out to local family physicians to raise awareness,” Mills said. “Diabetes is a serious issue in our community, leading to complications like congestive heart failure, kidney issues and other serious health conditions.”
Meade added, “Diabetes affects nearly every system in the body over time.”
To register for the program or to learn more, call the Martin County Health Department at 606-298-7752.