World Diabetes Day with USAPI

NACDD

In recognition of World Diabetes Day, NACDD’s Communications Director Paige Rohe speaks with two diabetes experts from Guam on the burden of diabetes and pre-diabetes in this community: Patrick Luces, Chair of the Pacific Chronic Disease Council and Program Coordinator for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control for Guam's Department of Public Health and Social Services and Melliza Young, an intern for the Pacific Chronic Disease Council and a certified diabetes educator. An important partner with NACDD, the Pacific Chronic Disease Council provides leadership in the development of a Pacific Noncommunicable Disease Collaborative targeting health system transformation and expanding population outreach within the U.S. Associated Pacific Island (USAPI) jurisdictions. The USAPI spans twice the geographic area of the continental U.S. and has a population of about half a million people. A 2016 World Bank report described non-communicable diseases as an economic threat to the Pacific Islands, with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease leading the list as the top causes of mortality in this region. Listen to the podcast to learn about the specific challenges Guam faces as well as opportunities that currently exist to improve health and empower the people of Guam to build a healthier future.