Pacific Islanders have the highest diabetes-related death rate in Utah, a state with one of the largest concentrations of Pacific Islanders outside of Hawaii.
“When we look at (the situation), and start counting the cases of diabetes and the number of amputations because of diabetic neuropathy or how many people can’t move or their lifestyle is impacted because of how big they are, it really hits home,” said Jake Fitisemanu, outreach coordinator with the Utah Department of Health.
According to the Deseret News, statistics from the Utah Department of Health show Pacific Islanders have a diabetes rate that was twice as high as the rest of the state. That is a problem compounded also by a high incidence of obesity.
In Penny Maumau family alone, ten family members have been diagnosed with diabetes. Penny was one of 200 who registered for the “Movement, Awareness, Nutrition, Action.” MANA 5k Walk and run in Salt Lake City.
It all hit home when doctors told her she was at high risk for diabetes.
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You can read about Penny and others at risk in the Deseret News.
