OADPP
Oklahoma Adolescent Diabetes Prevention Program
Western Oklahoma Wellness (WOW) is a partnership of healthcare, education, and community organizations working to improve health in rural Western Oklahoma. Currently, WOW is leading the Oklahoma Adolescent Diabetes Prevention Program (OADPP) to reduce obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes among high school students. Through school-based screenings, education, and support, WOW helps students and families build healthier habits for a stronger future.
The Western Oklahoma Wellness (WOW) Consortium brings together healthcare providers, educators, and community partners to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities across eight rural counties in Western Oklahoma. Founded in 2020, WOW focuses on expanding access to preventive care, health education, and chronic disease prevention programs in the following counties:
Beckham, Custer, Greer, Jackson, Kiowa, Tillman, Roger Mills, and Washita.
Our current initiative, the Oklahoma Adolescent Diabetes Prevention Program (OADPP), funded through the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), tackles rising rates of obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes among high school students. By embedding the program in schools, WOW provides biometric screenings, interactive health education, and ongoing support from nurse educators—removing barriers to care and empowering students to make lasting lifestyle changes.
The program aims to:
Improve BMI and HbA1c levels in 30% of participating students
Increase access to preventive healthcare and health literacy
Reduce long-term healthcare costs through early intervention
Build sustainable, community-driven wellness programs
Together, WOW and its partners are advancing rural health and creating healthier futures for Western Oklahoma youth and families.
What Does the OADPP Project Do?
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OADPP focuses on early prevention by addressing risk factors for obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes during adolescence - a critical time when lifelong health habits are formed. The program emphasizes prevention rather than treatment by identifying risk early and supporting healthier behaviors.
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Through a structured nutrition education curriculum delivered during the school year, OADPP helps students build practical knowledge around healthy eating, hydration, and physical activity. Education is designed to be age-appropriate, engaging, and actionable.
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OADPP conducts on-site biometric screenings, including A1c, BMI, and blood pressure, to identify early indicators of diabetes risk. Results are tracked over time to monitor progress, guide program improvements, and support long-term health outcomes.
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OADPP primarily serves students in grades 9–12 across participating Oklahoma school systems, with a focus on reaching adolescents who may be at increased risk for chronic disease.
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By integrating programming into the school setting, OADPP supports schools in advancing student wellness efforts and provides administrators with meaningful, school-specific data to inform local decision-making.
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OADPP extends impact beyond the classroom by providing students with health information and screening results they can share with their families, reinforcing healthy behaviors at home and within the broader community.
Who Does OADPP Serve?
How Do We Do Our Work?
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OADPP works directly with school systems to deliver programming where students already are. This approach increases access, minimizes barriers to participation, and supports consistent engagement throughout the academic year.
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The program is implemented in collaboration with county health department nurse educators and SWOSU College of Pharmacy. SWOSU plays a central role in leading biometric screenings and analyzing and communicating health data, ensuring clinical accuracy and meaningful interpretation.
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OADPP uses attendance data, biometric screenings, questionnaires, and participant feedback to evaluate outcomes and continuously improve program delivery. Findings are reviewed with partners and stakeholders to strengthen effectiveness and support sustainability over the life of the project.
Nutrition Education
Nutrition education will be delivered through a school-based, evidence-informed approach modeled after the Adolescent Pre-Diabetes Prevention Program. The program uses interactive, small-group wellness lessons throughout the school year that focus on healthy nutrition and physical activity. Education is reinforced through regular text messages with health tips and guidelines, lifestyle questionnaires to tailor education to student needs, and point-of-care counseling during on-site health screenings. Program coordinators work directly with schools to deliver education, engage students and staff, and integrate the program into existing school operations.
Nutrition education classes include an interactive take-home bingo game designed to reinforce healthy habits. Students who complete a bingo are rewarded with a reusable water bottle to encourage hydration and wellness beyond the classroom.
Program Statistics
Current Participanting High Schools:
Mangum High School
Cheyenne High School
Is your school interested in participating?
Fill out our interest form below!
Nutrition Resources
FREE ONIE Nutrition Calendars
Digital Downloads
New Dietary Guidelines for Americans
OADPP IS FUNDED THROUGH THE HRSA RURAL HEALTH CARE OUTREACH SERVICES PROGRAM, GRANT NO. D04RH55097.