The Pacific Islander Diabetes Prevention Program (PI-DPP) aims to improve the health and wellness of Pacific Islander communities through our lifestyle change programs with local organizations across the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, Hawaii, and the continental U.S. PI-DPP was formed through a partnership between the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) and the Pacific Islander Center for Primary Care Excellence (PI-CoPCE) as a project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DP17–1705 grant to scale the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program in underserved areas
Stay tuned as AAPCHO’s PI-DPP affiliate sites share how they deliver culturally competent care for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese
The Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (ACOM), based in Springdale, Arkansas, aims to empower the Marshallese community through culturally sensitive programs through education, leadership, and policy advocacy.
“We fight diabetes by eating healthy, reducing carbs, reducing fat, reducing sugar, reducing weight, more physical activity, like walking, running, walk-a-thon and Zumba.”
“We are lifestyle coaches because we want to help ourselves, our community, our people, our families, and our friends to have a better and healthy life. Lifestyle coaches are teaching these groups of people to help them to prevent, delay or event stop the risk of getting T2 diabetes.”
“ACOM is doing Zumba, and walk-a-thon during cancer awareness, diabetes and TB awareness. We gave healthy food from the ACOM food pantry. Thanksgiving giveaway turkey to our participants. (list activities or events you are doing in the community).”
Marianas Health Services
Marianas Health Services (MHS) is based Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Established in 2000, MHS provides quality healthcare services to their community members’ homes and provides quality and professional healthcare support.
“We fight diabetes by going out into our communities/islands to educate and engage with them on how to create healthier lifestyle habits by presenting the H.A.F.A Initiative Program via zoom or in-person lessons. Also, we fight diabetes by encouraging people to create a “Battle Buddy” system to help keep each other accountable and having that extra encouragement to stay healthy.”
“We are lifestyle coaches because we believe that diabetes is a preventable disease and with the right training and education in the community, we can reduce the negative impact Diabetes has on your culture and way of life.”
“MHS is [trying] to motivate the communities to take the Initiative in fighting against diabetes by having health Checks/screening throughout the islands, H.A.F.A Family Day gatherings, Diabetes Prevention Waves, Zumba, morning staff warm-ups, and through H.A.F.A Initiative.”
National Tongan American Society
National Tongan American Society (NTAS) is located in Murray, Utah. Founded in 1994, the NTAS is one of the longest running non-profit organizations to advocate for and empower all Tongan-Americans and other Pacific Islanders
“We fight Diabetes by providing diabetes classes and educating our community for free.”
“We are lifestyle coaches because we want to make a healthy difference in our community.”
“NTAS is offering free classes; free mobile clinic screening and diabetes testing; providing free resources in English, Tongan, and Samoan; tabling at various community and church events; promoting physical activity through community sports (volleyball, pickleball, rugby, park walks)”
“I fight diabetes by lowering carb and sugar intake and watching what I eat and drink!”
Malama I Ke Ola Health Center
Malama I Ke Ola Health Center (MIKOHC) is a community health center in Wailuku, Hawai’i. Their PI-DPP program provides culturally competent health education classes and outreach events. They’ve partnered with local businesses and a youth health organization.
“Malama I Ke Ola Health Center (MIKOHC) is offering twice-a-month health education classes; participating in outreach events that provide wellness checks such as BP and Glucose readings; partnering with local businesses to offer special rates for exercise classes and healthier food options; and have partnered with a youth health organization to have guest speakers from our clinic to introduce a variety of health careers that support our community and how we can have the youth be the future health professionals our community need.”
“We are Lifestyle Coaches because we care for the future. We care about guiding the community and giving them the resources they need to be the best version of themselves.”
“We fight diabetes by listening to one another, supporting one another and educating one another. When we all come together to understand our lifestyles, we are able to make big changes as one and we are able to share our knowledge and experience with many others.”
