Post by Okwes on Dec 3, 2006 9:56:13 GMT -5
Warning that diabetes could wipe out ethnic groups
Posted at 1:51pm on 14 Nov 2006
An Australian health body has warned that Maori and Pacific Islanders are among ethnic groups which could die out completely if their high rates of diabetes are not stamped out.
The ABC reports diabetes experts from around the world have met at a conference hosted by Monash University's International Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.
Institute director, Professor Paul Zimmet, told researchers there was a real risk of a major wipeout of some ethnic groups by the end of this century.
He says diabetes was unknown in the Pacific before World War II, but now the region has some of the highest rates in the world.
Native Americans and Canadians also have very high rates; as do Australia's Aborigine and Torres Strait Islander populations.
International Diabetes Day
Diabetes Auckland says the statistics in New Zealand are horrifying; especially among Maori, Pacific, Asian and Indian communities.
It says New Zealand needs to be awakened to the danger of the disease, especially today which is International Diabetes Day.
Posted at 1:51pm on 14 Nov 2006
An Australian health body has warned that Maori and Pacific Islanders are among ethnic groups which could die out completely if their high rates of diabetes are not stamped out.
The ABC reports diabetes experts from around the world have met at a conference hosted by Monash University's International Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.
Institute director, Professor Paul Zimmet, told researchers there was a real risk of a major wipeout of some ethnic groups by the end of this century.
He says diabetes was unknown in the Pacific before World War II, but now the region has some of the highest rates in the world.
Native Americans and Canadians also have very high rates; as do Australia's Aborigine and Torres Strait Islander populations.
International Diabetes Day
Diabetes Auckland says the statistics in New Zealand are horrifying; especially among Maori, Pacific, Asian and Indian communities.
It says New Zealand needs to be awakened to the danger of the disease, especially today which is International Diabetes Day.