These free Fresh Start programs can enroll more Alaskans who want to lose weight, prevent or manage diabetes, lower blood pressure, and stop smoking or vaping. The Alaska Department of Health has a contract with Omada Health to provide free online programs through Fresh Start to lose weight, prevent and manage diabetes, and lower blood pressure. So far, participating Alaskans have lost more than 5,200 pounds in total through Omada Health’s free online program to lose weight or prevent diabetes.

“We’ve had a wonderful partnership with Alaska’s health department since 2020 with the mission to connect adults with free online programs to improve their health. We’ve seen an impressive number of enrollments from Alaskans since the Fresh Start campaign kicked off this past December,” said Arvind Stokes, Vice President of Customer Success and Client Operations at Omada Health.

“We’ve seen improved health outcomes and incredible engagement with coaches who work with enrolled Alaskans,” Stokes said. “We’ve heard success stories from our coaches of how members are gaining confidence through their results and improving their mindset, helping them to continue to make meaningful progress towards their health goals.”
 

Alaskans receive similar benefits no matter how they join Fresh Start programs

No matter if they’re participating by phone or online, Alaskans enrolled in free Fresh Start programs receive similar benefits. They get long-term support because the programs to lose weight or prevent diabetes continue for up to 12 months. Alaskans are matched with a coach during the entire time. Those enrolled in the weight loss program receive short weekly readings and a free bathroom scale to track changes in body weight. Participating Alaskans use those readings and their discussions with coaches to create a plan to improve sleep, move more, choose healthy foods and drinks, lower blood sugar and manage stress.
 

Lose weight for free online

Since 2020, more than 850 Alaskans have joined Omada Health’s free online program to lose weight or prevent diabetes. That program was wrapped into the Fresh Start campaign in December 2022. Since then, applications to Omada Health programs have significantly increased. Even with the recent rise in interest, Stokes from Omada Health said the free online program to lose weight or prevent diabetes continues to be available through this calendar year to eligible adults living in Alaska.  

“We hope to see additional enrollments from this program and cannot wait to hear more success stories of members reaching their goals, but more importantly feeling better and living healthier lifestyles,” Stokes said.
 

Lose weight for free by phone

Since 2017, InquisitHealth has been offering Alaskans a free program by phone to lose weight or prevent diabetes. This program also became part of the Fresh Start campaign in December 2022.

More than 230 Alaskans have joined this free program offered by phone. One of them was Allen of North Pole. Allen’s brother had died at 450 pounds.

“I was very saddened by that,” said Allen, who shares his story in a Fresh Start video. “Then I was talking to my doctor about him dying. She noticed that I was overweight, and she said if I kept going the way I was going, I would be a diabetic shortly.”

Allen’s doctor recommended that he complete the Fresh Start telephone program to lose weight and prevent diabetes.

“I did the telephone program because that way I could stay at home and get it done,” he said.

Allen regularly talked by phone with his coach, who lived in Homer. During the program, Allen felt better as he changed what he ate and added steps to his daily walks. He finished the program at age 74, losing almost 60 pounds and lowering his blood sugar to a healthy level.