Type 2 diabetes remains one of the most significant and costly chronic conditions affecting the US workforce. Despite the availability of evidence-based prevention and management programs, many employees still lack access to services that can reduce risk, improve outcomes, and lower long-term health care spending. To address these gaps, the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health has been selected by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors to serve as the anchor organization for the 2026 Employer Regional Summit focused on expanding employer coverage of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES).
The 2-day summit, taking place from April 28 to 29, 2026, in Wilmington, Delaware, will convene employers, public health leaders, brokers, business coalitions, and health care delivery organizations to develop regional and state-level strategies aimed at increasing employee access to diabetes prevention and management programs.
Why Gaps in Diabetes Prevention Persist
Although proven interventions exist, participation and coverage remain inconsistent across employer-sponsored health plans. Several factors contribute to these persistent gaps. First, awareness of evidence-based programs such as the National DPP and DSMES remains limited among employers and employees alike. Second, employers often face challenges evaluating the return on investment of preventive programs, particularly when health benefits decisions are made annually while cost savings from prevention may accrue over several years. Finally, fragmentation of data across health plans, vendors, and delivery organizations can make it difficult for employers to assess program performance and population impact.
As a result, many organizations recognize diabetes as a top cost driver but lack clear pathways to scale prevention and management services within their workforce populations.
Evidence-Based Programs That Reduce Diabetes Risk
Evidence demonstrates that structured lifestyle interventions and diabetes education programs can significantly reduce risk and improve disease management. The National DPP, a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program, has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among people with prediabetes through weight loss, improved nutrition, and increased physical activity. Similarly, DSMES programs provide individuals living with diabetes with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their condition, leading to improved glycemic control, reduced complications, and lower health care utilization.
Despite their effectiveness, enrollment in these programs remains far below the number of individuals who could benefit. Expanding employer coverage and improving referral pathways represent critical opportunities to increase access.
A 3-Pillar Framework: People, Data, and Dollars
The Regional Diabetes Summit will use a collaborative framework centered on 3 pillars—people, data, and dollars—to drive actionable solutions.
1. People
The summit will explore how cross-sector partnerships can increase awareness, referrals, and engagement in diabetes prevention and management programs. Employers, public health agencies, health care providers, and community organizations each play distinct roles in expanding access and improving participation.
2. Data
Participants will examine available data sources to better understand the health and economic burden of type 2 diabetes within employee populations. Addressing data silos and improving transparency around program performance will enable employers and stakeholders to make more informed coverage decisions.
3. Dollars
The summit will also focus on the financial implications of diabetes and the potential for cost avoidance through prevention and early intervention. Participants will explore payment models, benefit design strategies, and incentive structures that can support sustainable coverage for the National DPP and DSMES.
From Dialogue to Regional Action
Unlike traditional conferences, the summit is designed as an active workshop focused on implementation. Through facilitated sessions including appreciative inquiry, collaborative problem-solving, and design thinking exercises, participants will work together to develop both regional and state-specific action plans.
These plans will outline strategies to expand employer coverage, strengthen partnerships between business and public health leaders, and increase employee enrollment in evidence-based programs. Cross-state collaboration will further enable stakeholders to share best practices and align efforts across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Building Momentum for Diabetes Prevention
Addressing diabetes requires coordinated action across sectors. By bringing together employers, health care leaders, and public health partners, the Regional Diabetes Summit aims to accelerate progress toward broader access to prevention and management services.
Through collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and innovative benefit design, employers can play a critical role in expanding access to proven interventions and improving the health of the workforce.
The Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health would like to the the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) for publishing this article. To access more free content from AJMC, visit their website.
