About Us

Community TAAP (Taking Action Against Prediabetes) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to provide prediabetes prevention and screening education in counties of Tennessee. Partnering with communities in Hamilton County and other counties through primary prevention efforts will help to proactively decrease the prediabetes and
Type 2 diabetes rates in Tennessee.

How We See the Solution

Prediabetes is a state of insulin resistance that results in blood glucose levels being above-normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes increases one’s chance of having Type 2 diabetes. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), changes in lifestyle habits can help to ward off Type 2 diabetes. Reducing the number of people with prediabetes who have risk factors for Type 2 diabetes will help to decrease health care cost in counties and the state of Tennessee.

Leadership Team

Founder & Executive Director

Dorothy Simmons, Ph.D.
(Health & Human Performance)

The Founder, Dorothy E. Simmons, envisioned a time when there will be no problems and serious complications of diabetes diseases. She grew up in a home with a grandparent who had insulin-dependent diabetes. The family history of diabetes with her grandfather and other family members, being overweight and gestational diabetes motivated her to be passionate about helping others prevent prediabetes as a first step to fight against Type II diabetes. Her work with University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University Extension conducting diabetes education programs showed a need for earlier awareness of prediabetes prevention among adults. The Community TAAP organization was borne from the desire to make a difference in the community by providing awareness and education to prevent prediabetes. This desire is supported by each board member through teamwork to accomplish the mission of Community TAAP!