Diabetes and Hypertension in Marshallese Adults: Results from Faith-Based Health Screenings

Abstract

Background The Pacific Islander population in the United States is growing rapidly. However, research on Pacific Islanders in the US is limited, or sometimes misleading due to aggregation with Asian Americans. This project seeks to add to the dearth of health literature by conducting a health assessment of Marshallese in northwest Arkansas. Methods Using a community-based participatory research approach, nine health screening events were conducted at local Marshallese churches. Participants completed the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey core questionnaire and diabetes module if applicable. Biometric data, including Hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and body mass index, was gathered by an interprofessional team. Results 401 participants completed health screenings. High proportions of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension were found. A high percentage of participants were uninsured, and multiple barriers to health care were found within the sample. Discussion This project represents one of the first broad health assessments of Pacific Islanders in the US. Proportions of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and uninsured found in the sample are much higher than national proportions.

Diabetes self‐management education exposure and glycated haemoglobin levels among Marshallese participants in a randomized controlled study

“…Bilingual Marshallese staff recruited potential participants through community/church health screenings , self‐referrals from members of the community who had heard about the study, local community health worker referrals, community partners and local clinics that serve Marshallese people . Participants were Marshallese adults (aged 18 and older) who had type 2 diabetes.…”

“…Marshallese experience high incidence of type 2 diabetes, with estimates among adults living in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (hereafter Marshall Islands) and the USA ranging from 20% to 40% . Specifically, in northwest Arkansas, screening data ( n = 401) has documented high incidence of type 2 diabetes (38.4%) and prediabetes (32.6%) among Marshallese .…”

Lessons learned through a partnership with Marshallese faith-based organizations to screen for hypertension and diabetes

“…From (33) In this article we present the lessons learned, which are summarized in five general areas: cultural protocols, communications, partnerships, location and logistics, and building capacity. These lessons were derived from our ongoing process improvement efforts that included conversations with more than 50 FBO leaders, program staff, and Marshallese community leaders.…”

Development and evaluation of a community-engaged research training program: Building capacity of Marshallese stakeholders and academic researchers to conduct health research

“…Arkansas now has the largest population of Marshallese living in the continental US (Hixson, Hepler & Kim 2012). Pacific Islanders residing in the US, and Marshallese specifically, have significant health disparities, including high rates of chronic and infectious diseases (Cardenas et al 2016;Fischer et al 2009;McElfish, Rowland et al 2017;Rothfeldt et al 2016;Woodall, Scollard & Rajan 2011). Despite significant health disparities, Pacific Islanders are under-represented in health research, resulting in limited scientific knowledge, masked health disparities and insufficient resource allocation for culturally appropriate research and programs (Park et al 2009;Ro & Yee 2010;Roehr 2010;Srinivasan & Guillermo 2000).…”