Season 13 • Episode 1031

1031 - What is Prediabetes?

Apr 2, 2026

15:03

Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Public Health Health Policy

Episode Description

About this episode:

Prediabetes—a diagnosis characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that can progress to Type 2 diabetes—is embroiled in debate about whether the condition is clinically "real," and, if so, what the threshold for diagnosis should be. In this episode: Epidemiologist and diabetes expert Elizabeth Selvin breaks down the controversy surrounding prediabetes and why she thinks the diagnosis offers an opportunity for intervention.

Guest:

Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH, is a professor of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she studies diagnosis and screening for diabetes and prediabetes.

Host:

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.

Show links and related content:

Prediabetes and What It Means: The Epidemiological Evidence—Annual Review of Public Health
Prediabetes Explained: An Under-the-Radar and Common Condition That Doesn't Have to Lead to a Diabetes Diagnosis—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
In Praise of Prevention—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Transcript information:

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