Public Health Approaches to Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: the US National Diabetes Prevention Program and Beyond

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article highlights foundational evidence, translation studies, and current research behind type 2 diabetes prevention efforts worldwide, with focus on high-risk populations, and whole-population approaches as catalysts to global prevention. RECENT FINDINGS: Continued focus on the goals of foundational lifestyle change program trials and their global translations, and the targeting of those at highest risk through both in-person and virtual modes of program delivery, is critical. Whole-population approaches (e.g., socioeconomic policies, healthy food promotion, environmental/systems changes) and awareness raising are essential complements to efforts aimed at high-risk populations. SUMMARY: Successful type 2 diabetes prevention strategies are being realized in the USA through the National Diabetes Prevention Program and elsewhere in the world. A multi-tiered approach involving appropriate risk targeting and whole-population efforts is essential to curb the global diabetes epidemic. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11892-019-1200-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.