Diabetes Facts
o According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) are at a 2.5 increased risk of being diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic white populations in 2018 (HHS, 2018).
o The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has the world’s second highest rate of diabetes in the world.
o Coupled with geographical, historical, and economical challenges to the Pacific Islands, these factors further exacerbate the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among NH/PI communities.
The Pacific Islander Diabetes Prevention Program (PI-DPP) Storytelling Series
PI-DPP, is a year-long, evidence-based lifestyle change program recognized and supported by the CDC. It was formed in 2017 by the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) and Pacific Islander Center of Primary Care Excellence (PI-CoPCE). Currently, PI-DPP partners with 11 community-led organizations located throughout the U.S. and U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) in pursuit of improving the health and wellness of Pacific Islander communities. Aligning with PI-DPP success standards, participants aim for 5% body weight loss, 150 weekly physical activity minutes (PAMs), and lower HbA1C values.
Oral Storytelling is a fundamental tradition among many Pacific Islander cultures, ensuring stories and history are passed down from generation to generation. That’s why program leads from each PI-DPP site will talk story about PI-DPP’s importance, community impact, challenges and best practices, and next steps for their diabetes prevention programs.
Stay updated on stories by visiting https://pacificislanderdpp.org/our-stories and following AAPCHO’s Facebook, Instagram, Medium, and Twitter. To learn more about PI-DPP’s sites and how to get involved, please visit https://pacificislanderdpp.org/ for more information!
