AUTHOR=Andersen Jennifer A. , Rowland Brett , O'Connor Gail , Bing Williamina Ioanna , Riklon Sheldon , Mendoza-Kabua Philmar , McElfish Pearl A. 

TITLE=Faith-based health screenings for Marshallese adults living in the Republic of the Marshall Islands: Study design and results

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1075763

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1075763

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Striking health disparities exist in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The RMI has one of the highest age-adjusted type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rates in the world (23.0%) compared to global (9.3%) and United States (US; 13.3%) rates. We conducted health screenings including clinical indicators of T2DM and hypertension among Marshallese in the RMI.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Screenings were conducted at 20 churches on Majuro Atoll. Participants completed questionnaires and biometric data collection assessing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, and body mass index.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Screenings included 528 participants and showed a high prevalence of T2DM, obesity, and hypertension. One-third of participants were referred to the non-communicable disease clinic. The percent of adults in this study with T2DM-indicative HbA1c (48.5%) is higher than observed at the national level (23.0%).</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>Results highlight the need for non-communicable disease-related programs in the RMI.</p></sec>