The Life! program helps reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke by encouraging participants to adopt an active lifestyle and healthy diet. Delivered as either a group course or a telephone health coaching service, Life! is the largest prevention program of its type in Australia.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A LIFE! PROVIDER?

WHAT YOU’LL RECEIVE FROM USYour organisation will receive:

• $90 (+GST) for completing an Introductory Session with an eligible participant

• $385 (+GST) for each eligible participant who completes the Life! group course

• Free resources to help you promote the Life! program

• Guidance and support to help you deliver the Life! program

Since 2008, over 40 ,000 Victorians have joined the Life! program for a healthier life.

BECOMING A LIFE! PROVIDER IS EASY.There are approximately 100 health organisations across Victoria promoting the Life! program to their communities. Among them are general practices, community health services and allied health services. These organisations commit their staff and resources to raising community awareness of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke prevention, as well as delivering Life! group courses.

What does being a Life! provider involve?• To most effectively deliver the program, your entire staff,

including management, must help make the Life! program a success.

• This includes dedicating time and thought to recruiting participants and endorsing the program within your area, as well as allowing time for administration and planning.

• Providers and facilitators are encouraged to promote the Life! program and upcoming courses within their local community. You can also promote the program to local GPs and health professionals to increase referrals.

• Successful Life! providers educate staff about the program, encourage them to promote the program within their work and to screen clients who may be at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke. High risk clients can then be referred to the staff member responsible for coordinating the Life! program.

WHY THE LIFE! PROGRAM?The statistics about type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke are alarming. Every day in Australia, almost 280 people develop diabetes1, and every 12 minutes someone dies of cardiovascular disease2. Preventing these serious conditions has never been more important.

The Life! program is based on best evidenceStudies show that it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by taking part in a lifestyle modification program3-5. These programs are based on behaviour change principles to improve diet, increase physical activity, and achieve weight loss.

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE LIFE! PROGRAM

HOW IS THE LIFE! PROGRAM DELIVERED?Life! providers deliver the group courses within their organisational setting, supporting staff and trained Life! facilitators to promote, recruit and deliver the Life! program.

The Life! group course consists of a one-on-one introductory session and five group sessions run across a six month period.

The first four group sessions run fortnightly for 90–120 minutes at a time. Session five is conducted four months after session four to support participants in their progress towards behaviour change.

Participants learn about diabetes, heart disease, stroke, healthy eating, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, stress management and goal setting. This knowledge, and the support they receive from their facilitator and group, helps them achieve sustained lifestyle changes.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?For more information please contact us by emailing life@diabetesvic.org.au or calling 03 8648 1880

Introductory Session

Week 1

Week 3

Week 5

Week 7

4 months after Session 4

Group Session 1

Group Session 4

Group Session 5

Group Session 2

Co-facilitated with dietician

Group Session 3

Co-facilitated with physiotherapist or

exercise physiologist

“The Life! program is a great extra service for our patients. Providing the Life! program at the clinic means it’s easier for staff to refer their patients, and

patients are more receptive as participation becomes a follow up from their doctor.”

Pat Bowman, Life! facilitator at Leongatha Healthcare Services

“I am loving this program and the life skills I am learning, can’t believe

how easy it is to lose weight being sensible (once

you know how!). Totally recommend it.”

Life! participant

“The Life! team are very passionate, dedicated and

supportive–making working with the Life! program a pleasure.”

Sherie Connors, Life! provider

13 RISK (13 7475)www.lifeprogram.org.au

1 National Diabetes Services Scheme. Data snap shot -All types of diabetes. March 2015.2 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of death 2014 (3303.0). March 2016.3 Knowler WC et al. (2002). Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes

with Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin. N Engl J Med. 346:393-403.4 Uusitupa M et al. (2003). Long-Term Improvement in Insulin Sensitivity by Changing Lifestyles of People with Impaired

Glucose Tolerance: 4-Year Results From the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. Diabetes. 53:2532-2538. 5 Laatikainen T et al. (2007). Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes by lifestyle intervention in an Australian primary health care

setting: Greater Green Triangle (GGT) Diabetes Prevention Project. BMC Public Health. 7:249:255.’