Type 2 diabetes rates in the Marshall Islands are among the highest in the world. An estimated 28% of individuals over the age of 15 have type 2 diabetes. For those older than 35, the figure is nearly 50%.
Many islanders do not know they have the disease until the devastating complications occur.
The Community Lifestyle Program (CLP) comprised of representatives from the Canvasback Wellness Center, Taiwan Health Center, LDS Charities (the welfare arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Ministry of Health and Majuro City Government have partnered to provide outreach health screenings to find those with undiagnosed diabetes and high blood pressure.
Education and monitoring are crucial to identify and help bring these conditions under control.
Each outreach screening is a three or four hour session that includes health screening (blood pressure, blood sugars, height and weight), an exercise period, an education period and a cooking class with demonstrations.
The screenings are conducted over a four week period. Topics of the education classes are spread over those weeks as well as the recipes demonstrated.
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Since staying active is an important component of good health, walking for exercise is being promoted by organising walking clubs and giving a pair of walking shoes to the participants who walk 15 days for at least a half hour.
Currently there are 10 clubs and the benefits are being realized by those who commit to better health.
Watch a video about LDS Charities' efforts worldwide to support people's food and nutrition education and lifestyle changes.