Authors of a report published March 22 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report say that just over 11% of US adults with prediabetes were told during 2009-2010 that they have the condition. The report also indicates awareness of prediabetes was low (<14%) across all population subgroups and different levels of health care access or use and other factors.

The report is based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an ongoing, stratified, multistage probability sample of the noninstitutionalized US civilian population. This analysis was conducted using data from 3 sampling cycles of NHANES, with examination response rates of approximately 77% for 2005-2006, 75% for 2007-2008, and 77% for 2009-2010.

During 2005-2010, the percentage of persons aged ≥20 years with prediabetes who were aware of their prediabetes remained low but was slightly higher during 2009-2010 (11.1%) than during 2005-2006 (7.7) During 2005-2010, prevalence of prediabetes awareness was lower among those  aged 20-44 years (5.1%) compared with persons aged 45-64 years (10.0%) and those aged ≥65 years (11.95). Age-adjusted prevalence of prediabetes awareness was lower among persons with less than a high school education (4.9%) compared with those with greater than a high school education (8.7%). Prevalence was higher among overweight (7.9%) and obese (9.9%) individuals compared with those of normal weight (4.3%). Also, it was higher among those with a family history of diabetes compared with those without (10.4% vs 6.2%).

Because the vast majority of people with prediabetes are unaware of their condition, identification and improved awareness of prediabetes are critical first steps to encourage them to make healthy lifestyle changes or to enroll in evidence-based, lifestyle-change programs aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes, say the authors.

In his 2012 McMillan Lecture, Alan Jette, PT, PhD, challenged physical therapy professionals to ‘Face Into the Storm’ and boldly tackle the challenges of the new century. These challenges include a health care system that is increasingly data driven, and where reimbursement is tied to coordination of care and performance. To meet these challenges, physical therapists must develop critical systems skills to collect and examine clinical data to determine what works for which conditions, for which patients and in different settings in order to improve clinical practice and meet reimbursement requirements.

A 1-day conference on June 7 in Boston, cosponsored by APTA and Boston University’s Health & Disability Research Institute, focuses on the need to develop systems skills as a critical component of physical therapy practice. The conference agenda includes a combination of key didactic presentations, case examples of innovative programs, and opportunities for discussion among attendees.

The target audience for the conference includes innovators seeking to advance the development of systems skills in physical therapy practice.

Register today to attend "Face Into the Storm: Gaining the System Skills Needed to Succeed in the Changing Healthcare Environment." If you are unable to travel to Boston, register for the virtual conference/webcast.

The Otago Exercise Program: Training for Physical Therapists is an online course that aims to train physical therapists to integrate the Otago Exercise Program as part of their practice. It is intended to be used in combination with the Otago Exercise Program Manual available as an attachment in this course.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was a key stakeholder whose efforts led to the development of the program manual and this online training format. APTA member Terry Shea, PT, GCS, NCS, has led the effort to translate Otago for use in the United States. She was instrumental in providing content and expertise for creating this online manual and training.

"Fall Risk in Community-Dwelling Elders," a clinical summary in PTNow authored by APTA member Tiffany Shubert, PT, PhD, cites the Otago Exercise Program and links to the program's manual. APTA members also can find a reference to the Otago Exercise Program in PTNow's clinical case on a 70-year-old woman who was referred to a physical therapist for her knee pain and expresses concern about falling. PTNow, APTA's clinician website portal developed in collaboration with sections, moved out of beta in January.  

The course is approximately 3 hours and can be started and stopped at the user's convenience. The cost is $25. Completers get 3 contact hours.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to meet with large, small, regional, and national employers at APTA's live, online Virtual Career Fair, to be held April 9, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm ET. This first-ever online event is a great way for you to engage directly with employers about their current and future physical therapy career opportunities.

Participate in the Virtual Career Fair for as long as you wish, chatting 1-on-1 with recruiters to discuss your background and experience, and their current and future needs for physical therapists. 

Space is limited for this event, so register today.