title: Diabetes and Hypertension in Marshallese Adults: Results from Faith-Based Health Screenings.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA. pamcelfish@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Pearl Anna
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McElfish
authors.affiliation: Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.affiliation: Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: Jonell
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piel
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buron
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: Sheldon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riklon
authors.affiliation: Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: Williamina Ioanna
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Bing
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA.
authors.forename: T Scott
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Warmack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology*; D000073576:Faith-Based Organizations; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: Diabetes; Faith-based; Health disparities; Hypertension; Migrant; Pacific Islander