Pearl Anna McElfish1, Brett Rowland2, Christopher R Long2, Jonell Hudson3, Michelle Piel3, Bill Buron4, Sheldon Riklon5, Williamina Ioanna Bing2, T Scott Warmack3. 1. Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA. pamcelfish@uams.edu. 2. Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA. 3. College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA. 4. College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA. 5. Department of Family Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Pacific Islander population in the USA is growing rapidly. However, research on Pacific Islanders in the USA is limited, or sometimes misleading due to aggregation with Asian Americans. This project seeks to add to the dearth of health literature by conducting a health assessment of Marshallese in northwest Arkansas. METHODS: Using a community-based participatory research approach, nine health screening events were conducted at local Marshallese churches. Participants completed the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey core questionnaire and diabetes module if applicable. Biometric data, including Hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and body mass index, were gathered by an interprofessional team. RESULTS: Four hundred one participants completed health screenings. High proportions of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension were found. A high percentage of participants were uninsured, and multiple barriers to health care were found within the sample. DISCUSSION: This project represents one of the first broad health assessments of Pacific Islanders in the USA. Proportions of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and uninsured found in the sample are much higher than national proportions.
BACKGROUND: The Pacific Islander population in the USA is growing rapidly. However, research on Pacific Islanders in the USA is limited, or sometimes misleading due to aggregation with Asian Americans. This project seeks to add to the dearth of health literature by conducting a health assessment of Marshallese in northwest Arkansas. METHODS: Using a community-based participatory research approach, nine health screening events were conducted at local Marshallese churches. Participants completed the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey core questionnaire and diabetes module if applicable. Biometric data, including Hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and body mass index, were gathered by an interprofessional team. RESULTS: Four hundred one participants completed health screenings. High proportions of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension were found. A high percentage of participants were uninsured, and multiple barriers to health care were found within the sample. DISCUSSION: This project represents one of the first broad health assessments of Pacific Islanders in the USA. Proportions of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and uninsured found in the sample are much higher than national proportions.
Entities:
Keywords:
Diabetes; Faith-based; Health disparities; Hypertension; Migrant; Pacific Islander
Authors: Pearl A McElfish; Peter Kohler; Chris Smith; Scott Warmack; Bill Buron; Jonell Hudson; Melissa Bridges; Rachel Purvis; Jellesen Rubon-Chutaro Journal: Clin Transl Sci Date: 2015-11-17 Impact factor: 4.689
Authors: Chai Bin Park; Kathryn L Braun; Brian Y Horiuchi; Caryn Tottori; Alvin T Onaka Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2009 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Pearl Anna McElfish; Ramey Moore; David Woodring; Rachel S Purvis; Gregory G Maskarinec; Williamina Ioanna Bing; Jonell Hudson; Peter O Kohler; Peter A Goulden Journal: J Fam Med Dis Prev Date: 2016-03-14
Authors: Holly Felix; Marie-Rachelle Narcisse; Brett Rowland; Christopher R Long; Zoran Bursac; Pearl A McElfish Journal: Hawaii J Med Public Health Date: 2019-02
Authors: Michelle L Balli; Tiffany A Dickey; Rachel S Purvis; T Scott Warmack; Sheldon Riklon; Pearl A McElfish Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2019-02-08
Authors: Pearl Anna McElfish; Lisa Smith; Karra Sparks; Williamina Ioanna Bing; Sharlynn Lang; Amber Estes; Michael Stephens Journal: Hawaii J Health Soc Welf Date: 2019-11
Authors: Pearl A McElfish; Marie-Rachelle Narcisse; Christopher R Long; Britni L Ayers; Nicola L Hawley; Nia Aitaoto; Sheldon Riklon; L Joseph Su; Shumona Z Ima; Ralph O Wilmoth; Thomas K Schulz; Susan Kadlubar Journal: J Community Genet Date: 2017-07-08
Authors: Pearl A McElfish; Christopher R Long; Peter O Kohler; Karen H K Yeary; Zoran Bursac; Marie-Rachelle Narcisse; Holly C Felix; Brett Rowland; Jonell S Hudson; Peter A Goulden Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2019-03-12 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: Holly Felix; Brett Rowland; Christopher R Long; Marie-Rachelle Narcisse; Michelle Piel; Peter A Goulden; Pearl A McElfish Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2018-12
Authors: Karen Hye Yeary; Nia Aitaoto; Karra Sparks; Mandy Ritok-Lakien; Jonell S Hudson; Peter Goulden; Williamina Bing; Sheldon Riklon; Jelleson Rubon-Chutaro; Pearl Anna Mcelfish Journal: Prog Community Health Partnersh Date: 2017
Authors: Pearl A McElfish; Rachel S Purvis; Monica K Esquivel; Ka'imi A Sinclair; Claire Townsend; Nicola L Hawley; Lauren K Haggard-Duff; Joseph Keawe'aimoku Kaholokula Journal: Curr Diab Rep Date: 2019-03-18 Impact factor: 4.810
Authors: Monica L Wang; Pearl A McElfish; Christopher R Long; Morgan S Lee; Zoran Bursac; Andrea T Kozak; Linda K Ko; Noel Kulik; Karen Hye-Cheon Kim Yeary Journal: Ethn Health Date: 2019-07-10 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: Britni L Ayers; Marilou D Shreve; Allison L Scott; Victoria A Seaton; Kelly V Johnson; Nicola L Hawley; Brett Rowland; Ramey Moore; Pearl A McElfish Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2019-02-22 Impact factor: 4.022