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Diabetes Intervention


Project DIRECT
(Diabetes Intervention Reaching and Educating Communities Together):

Diabetes (also known as "sugar" in some communities) is a major health problem facing Americans today that contributes to such serious complications as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, leg amputations and blindness. Diabetes is also a major cause of death in North Carolina and around the nation.

If their diabetes is detected early and managed properly, people can still enjoy healthy lives, decreasing their risks for these long-term complications. Lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and increased physical exercise are essential to diabetes management.

Factors suggesting higher risk for diabetes include:

  • Race/Ethnicity (especially African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics)
  • Age – risk goes up after 45 years of age
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Overweight/Obesity
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Women who have given birth to infants weighing 9 pounds or more

It is notable that there has been a marked increase in the development of diabetes among adolescents, and these numbers continue to rise.

Project DIRECT is a community-based program of Wake County Human Services focused on awareness of diabetes among citizens of Wake County, with a special focus on the Southeast Raleigh community. Project DIRECT services, which are FREE OF CHARGE to the public, include:

  • Staff available for presentations & health fairs to community organizations on diabetes
  • Perform health assessments for African-American faith communities
  • Nutrition education programs for churches and other community organizations to encourage healthier eating habits
  • Walking programs designed to encourage regular exercise for community groups
  • Diabetes management classes, educating persons with diabetes and those at risk for diabetes on improving their health

For more information about Project DIRECT and our services, call 919-856-6540 or stop by Project DIRECT's Community Resource Center at:

219 S. East St.
Raleigh, NC
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.