The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47754

Luceli Cuasay, DrPH¹, Eun Sul Lee, PhD², Philip Orlander, MD³, Lyn Steffen-Batey, PhD⁴, and Craig Hanis, PhD². (1) US Oncology, 16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1300, Houston, TX 77060, 832-601-6477, luceli.cuasay@usoncology.com, (2) School of Public Health, University of Texas, 1200 Herman Pressler, Suite 234, Houston, TX 77030, (3) Division of Endocrinology, University of Houston, 6431 Fannin, Suite 4.202, Houston, TX 77030, (4) Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St. Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454

OBJECTIVES - Filipino-Americans, one of the fastest growing racial groups in the United States, have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. A recent survey in the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Texas reported the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (16.1%) and the major risk factors in this population. This report describes the characteristics of the diabetic and non-diabetic Filipino-American survey participants. Comparisons are made to the U.S. diabetic population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Houston MSA between September 1998 and March 2000. Questionnaires in English and the Filipino language were used. Of 831 Filipino Americans, ages 20-74 years, 125 had been previously diagnosed with diabetes.

RESULTS-There were significant differences between diabetic and non-diabetic Filipino-Americans according to age, sex, income, and acculturation. The higher proportion of non-diabetic participants who were highly acculturated suggests an inverse association between acculturation and type 2 diabetes. The diabetic survey participants were older and had significantly higher body mass index and higher proportions of those with a family history of diabetes and a history of cardiovascular condition(s), smoking, and tobacco use than the non-diabetic participants. Compared to the U.S. NHANES II diabetic population, the diabetic Filipino Americans were less obese and less physically active and had a higher prevalence of parental history of diabetes, history of hypertension, and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS-The rapidly growing population of Filipino Americans, with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes, will require an increasing share of diabetes-related health care and preventive services.

Learning Objectives:

• Fill the knowledge gap regarding the health status of Filipino-Americans.
• List the major risk factors for type 2 diabetes, as determined in a sample population of Filipino-Americans in the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area, Texas.
• Recognize that the rapidly increasing Filipino-American population and the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes will have considerable impact on the health care and preventive services.
• Apply the information in planning and developing linguistically and culturally appropriate prevention and control programs that will lead to the early diagnosis and modification of risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
• Recognize the need to conduct further studies to assess the role of diet, physical activity, and acculturation on type 2 diabetes in Filipino-Americans.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.pdf format, 1815.4 kb)