Japanese Elderly and Diabetes

Epidemiologists have been putting a particular interest in studying the case of diabetes among Japanese Americans, which interestingly is higher than both white/ Caucasian American and native population in Japan. According to Fujimoto, Leonetti, Kinyoun, Newell-Morris, Shuman, Stolov, and Wahl, 56% of Nisei (second generation Japanese immigrant) men between the age of 45-47 in the Washington have abnormal glucose tolerance an 20% have Type 1 diabetes. These rates is found to be over twice as high compared to general United States population.

Studies have shown that diabetes in Japanese American is connected with genetic and their diets. Lipson and Kato Palmer believed that Asians' genetic predisposition to diabetes is expressed when they begin eating typical American diet, and not expressed when they eat their native diet. Japanese American who are diagnosed with diabetes were found to consume more fat and animal protein than their non-diabetic counterparts.

Among Japanese American, along with diabetes, they have been reported to suffer from other complications such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease.

Aside from above comorbidity, Japanese living in America have higher rates of getting stomach cancer compared to native Japanese, as shown in a study in Nisei in Hawaii done by the Honolulu Health Program and Japan Hawaii Cancer Study. Moreover, the elderly patient may be more vulnerable to most diabetes related complicated since these complications develop faster in older patients. Regardless of race and ethnicity, it is very common for older people to develop diabetes, and when it is left untreated, it significantly rises mortality rate. Additionally, there is no significant difference in term of diagnosis of between the elderly and the general population.

Kuakini Health System

Kuakini is a health care organization and the home of Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program and Kuakini Japan-Hawaii Cancer Study. The Honolulu Heart Program and The Japan Hawaii Cancer Study have been two sources of ongoing epidemiology research in diseases that occur in Japanese ancestry men living in Hawaii. Centered in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Kuakini Health System have made great contribution to the modern understanding of cardiocasular disease, stroke, cancer, and dementia, especially since coronary disease occur twice as much in Honolulu Japanese men.

The Kuakini Health System have many research program originated by Kuakini's principal investigators that have made contribution to Japanese living in Hawaii, especially the elderly. The main research programs are the Honolulu Heart Program (HHP), Honolulu-Asia Aging Study (HAAS), the Japan-Hawaii Cancer Study (JHCS), Kuakini Genetic Lab, and Kuakini Research Programs Summaries and Findings. The HHP has been doing research on cardiovascular diseases in approxi

mately 8000 Japanese or with Japanese ancestry living in Oahu island. The longitudinal study of HHD have contributed to physicians in treating patients with coronary disease. The HAAS studies the cause of dementia and continues to research variables connected with brain aging, dementia, and Parkinson disease through National Institute on aging sponsorship. The JHCS focus its studies on identifying pathological, biochemical, and other risk factor associated with the eevelopment of cancer in men and women of Japanese ancestry along with the HHP. Lastly, the Kuakini Genetic Lab is the most advance genetic research laboratory in Hawaii. The facility is where the HHP, HAAS, and the JHCS do their generic testing for their project.

Kuakini Genetic Lab

Aside for its research program, the Kuakini Health System have various services for the Japanese men and women, such cardiovascular services, geriatric medicine and care, pharmacy, radiation therapy, and many more that are beneficial for Japanese living in Hawaii. Kuakini Health System also offers community events, such as Health Fairs which includes the Great Aloha Run Health and Fitness Expo and Healthful Lifestyle Promotions which offer free health information. Moreover, Kuakini also attempts to improve the health status by giving health education and teach the community to be more health conscious.

Great Aloha Run