Our Research

Pacific Islanders experience some of the highest mortality rates of non-communicable diseases (NCD’s), yet are not included in national surveys such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the National Health Interview Survey.

The Pacific Island Cohort on Cardiometabolic Health (PICCAH) study will address the lack of health information needed to understand disparities in our island, as well as throughout the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) region. Over time, the data collected by PICCAH will provide critical information on cardiometabolic risk in Guam. The information will also be used to refine health messages and intervention strategies, and improve the quality of healthcare practices relevant to Pacific Islanders.

Objectives

1) To collect data on NCD lifestyle factors from two generations of families living in Guam: child (born between January 01,
    2010 to December 31, 2014) and parent (18yrs to 50yrs).
   a. Specific aim 1: Estimate the prevalence of NCD lifestyle factors (acculturation, alcohol use, tobacco use, betel nut
       consumption, blood pressure, diet, obesity, occupational exposure, physical activity, reproductive/hormone history,
       screen time, sleep, and stress levels)
   b. Specific aim 2: Estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and dislipidemia (DL) based on biomarkers in the
       study population
   c. Specific aim 3: Validate the association of DM and acanthosis nigricans (AN), characterized as a dark, velvety skin in
       the creases of the body

2)  To pilot test the Guam research strategy in Pohnpei.