Back to top anchor

A kaupapa Maori feasibility study to improve type 2 diabetes in Whangaroa

Year:
2015
Duration:
36 months
Approved budget:
$343,520.00
Researchers:
Dr Jennifer Reid
Health issue:
Other (generic health or health services)
Proposal type:
Māori Health Postdoctoral Fellowship
Lay summary
Rates of prevalence, mortality and morbidity for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Maori in Whangaroa exceed those of the general Maori population. Anecdotal evidence suggests that co-occurring depression is not always identified or managed, further comprising the wellbeing of whanau living with diabetes. This research will build on my recently completed PhD exploring barriers to primary healthcare by investigating system and process-level barriers to equitable diabetes outcomes and comorbid depression among Maori in Whangaroa. A major outcome of this research will be applying my PhD findings to exploring the feasibility of a kaupapa Maori intervention to improve T2DM outcomes for Whangaroa whanau. This corresponds with my long-term career objective of contributing towards reducing ethnic disparities in T2DM outcomes in Te Tai Tokerau by maximising the health-enhancing capacities of healthcare, addressing the social factors that exacerbate health-damaging behaviours, and empowering whanau and their communities to assume control over their lives.