DIABETES TODAY & PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN UTAH

Purpose: Educate and mobilize Tongans and other Pacific Islanders at grass roots level towards diabetes prevention and control activities.

What problems are we trying to solve?

1) Low numbers of PI's obtaining diabetes screening
Most Pacific Islanders will only see the doctor when they feel sick. If we can increase diabetes screening, more PI will be diagnosed earlier and may be able to prevent and/or control diabetes.

2) Low physical activity
Pacific Islanders are low in daily physical activity. We aim to increase by 25% the number of people in the target population who participate in regular physical activity.

3) Obesity and over weight
This diabetes program will aid in decreasing weight by 5-7% in 10% of the target population with BMI greater than 25.

How important is diabetes in the Tongan and Samoan communities?

“A lot of us feel that it is hereditary. . .so why bother, be happy, you're going to get it anyway.”

“Diabetes is an ignored disease.”

Diabetes is important in the community, but people are afraid to get tested . . . and afraid to find out they have it.”

“Most of us live in a very relaxed lifestyle and don't think about tomorrow.”

What has discouraged you from prevention, treatment and management of diabetes?

“We're brought up in the culture that you eat as much as you can until you're tired and then you go to sleep. It's hard to change a habit.”

“With language barriers it is hard to explain how you feel”

“Adults don't go to the doctor unless they are really sick!”

“We know we need the education for it, and at the same time we are saying it's really hard for Polynesians to follow it.”

“They don't think it's so serious since they are up and walking around.”

What can help you prevent, treat and manage diabetes?

“Need to have an active approach. Need to be proactive at the grassroots level.”

“We need an ongoing place where Polynesians can go at all times and get tested so they'll know.”

“To start with, test all the Polynesians so they know if they have it.”

Questions and answers are from a study by University of Utah Research and Evaluation Program for Utah Department of Health.