Health Indicators of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in the United States

Abstract

This study aimed to describe health indicators and behaviors of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults and to compare findings to previous reports on US NHPI and the US population. A sample of N = 100 (56 M, 44 F) NHPI adults aged 40–59 years completed an anonymous questionnaire addressing education and household income, tobacco use, physical activity, fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, cancer screening and health status. Objective measures of height and weight were taken to calculate body mass index (BMI). The study sample consisted of 49% current smokers and the majority was not meeting guidelines for physical activity (80%) or F&V consumption (99%). Cancer screening rates ranged from 0 to 57% and were higher among females. Mean BMI was 33.9 ± 7.5 kg/m2 and 95% were overweight or obese. While 36.7% were hypertensive, only 11.1% were taking prescribed medication. Compared to both the general US population and available data for US NHPI, study participants reported higher prevalence of obesity and chronic conditions (hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and angina/CHD) and lower levels of physical activity, F&V consumption and cancer screening rates. Study findings contribute to the limited knowledge regarding health behaviors of US NHPI. Comparisons to US data increase evidence of NHPI health disparities, while comparisons to previous NHPI studies emphasize the magnitude of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and subsequent adverse health conditions for this particular sample. Further improvements to community outreach and recruitment strategies could successfully encourage high-risk individuals to participate in health promotion and behavior intervention studies to improve NHPI health behaviors.

Disparities among Asians and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders with ischemic stroke

“…Furthermore, NHPI have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome characteristics (diabetes, obesity, and/or lower HDL levels) compared with whites, which is consistent with prior studies. [10][11][12][13][14][15] In our study, NHPI with ischemic stroke were a decade younger than whites, a finding similar to the results of other observational ischemic stroke studies that compared non-Hispanic whites to Maoris from New Zealand, 21 Hispanics, 4,22 and blacks. 4,22 The higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors seen in NHPI is similar to the disparities seen among Hispanics and blacks, [5][6][7]22 and supports the idea that minority racial groups overall have a younger age of stroke onset and higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors compared with whites.…”

“…For example, NHPI in the community have been shown to have higher prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors [10][11][12][13][14][15] and die at a younger age from various cardiovascular disease-related complications compared with other major racial groups. 16,17 However, the specific disease burden related to ischemic stroke in the NHPI and Asian populations has not been studied.…”

Diabetes Among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders

“…Research shows that level of education can affect physical activity levels, with more educated NHIPs being more likely to be physically active. 3,13 Low Health Literacy Health literacy is "an individual's ability to read, understand and use healthcare information to make decisions and follow instructions for treatment." 14 Research found that low health literacy was associated with poor diabetes outcomes in NHIP populations.…”

“…Finally, most NHPI culture places greater emphasis on the collective unit (e.g., community, group, family) rather than the individual. 13 Strategies should involve community and family members in the diabetes intervention process, so families and community members can understand the important role of regular physical activity and proper diet in diabetes prevention and provide support for NHPIs practicing a healthy lifestyle.…”

Student Perceptions of Hawaiian Values in Business Communication

“…Similar to many institutions in Hawai'i, the study's host university is concerned with the well-being and status of Native Hawaiians, who tend to have poor health and life outcomes. Compared with the U.S. residents of European ancestry, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have higher rates of cancer, diabetes, infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, obesity, adolescent suicide, and poverty; lower life expectancy; and lower levels of educational attainment (Moy, Sallis, & David, 2010; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health, 2011; Yuen, Nahulu, . Twenty three percent of the host university students are Native Hawaiian or part Native Hawaiian (Kakugawa-Leong, 2010), which is similar to the statewide figure.…”