Life! Program

The Life! Preventing Diabetes Program is an evidence based lifestyle modification program which has the potential to substantially delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Clinical trials have provided strong evidence that progression to Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented or delayed by lifestyle modification. Randomised Control Trials in the US and Finland have demonstrated reductions in the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes of 58% over 3 years.

What is a Lifestyle Modification Program?

The Life! Taking Action on Diabetes Program has been accredited as a Lifestyle Modification Program. Patients aged 40 years and over who are identified as being at "high risk" of developing type 2 diabetes (using the AUSDRISK tool) and who do not already have diabetes can be referred to the program.

What is included in a Lifestyle Modification Program?

Setting small, achievable goals to improve one’s lifestyle
Problem solving skills
Type 2 diabetes and its complications
What you should drink and eat to stay healthy
How physical activity can help
How to make healthier lifestyle choices

The program will help you to maintain the lifestyle changes that can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Each course runs for six sessions (90 minutes each session) with up to 15 participants. The first five sessions are fortnightly; the sixth session is a follow up and takes place eight months after the first session.

To be eligible for a Life! course patients must:

Be aged 40 years or above or of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
Score 15 or more on the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment (AUSDRISK) Tool
Have diabetes excluded in the past 12 months
Individuals 40-49 years of age must have Medicare Benefits Schedule(MBS) item number 713 (type 2 diabetes risk evaluation), Medicare Benefits Schedule(MBS) item number 717 (45-49 year old health check) or Medicare Benefits Schedule(MBS) item number 710 (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check) claimed prior to a referral.
A standard Medicare Benefits Schedule(MBS) item number consultation applies for individuals 50 years of age and over

Case Finding funding for general practice - Life! 50+

Case finding funding is now available for all Victorian general practitioner's. Updated information on the sign up process for practices and resources to support case finding in practice are available on the diabetes Life! web site

Contact Details for Life! – Lifestyle Modification Program

Stacey Podmore
Latrobe Community Health Service
Tuesday, Thursday
Phone: 1800 242 696
Fax: 5136 5475
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.lchs.com.au
2010 Life! Diabetes Program Flyer (LCHS) (PDF)

West Gippsland Healthcare Group
Phone: 5624 3500
Fax: 5624 3555
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2010 Life! Diabetes Program Flyer (WGHG) (PDF)