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Diet‐related cancer in native Hawaiians
Author(s) -
Hughes Claire Ku'uleilani,
Tsark Jo Ann Umilani,
Mokuau Noreen Kehaulani
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19961001)78:7<1558::aid-cncr32>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - native hawaiians , medicine , cancer prevention , gerontology , environmental health , intervention (counseling) , health promotion , cancer , health care , inclusion (mineral) , population , public health , pacific islanders , nursing , psychology , social psychology , economics , economic growth
BACKGROUND Since contact with Westerners in 1778, the native people of the Hawaiian Islands have experienced multiple health and social problems. Among these are the debilitating effects of high rates of cancer incidence and mortality. METHODS The method used in this article was a review and integration of the literature on cancer among Native Hawaiians. The empiric and conceptual literature related to cancer among Native Hawaiians has emerged primarily in the past two decades; therefore, it is limited and sometimes not fully complete. Despite the restricted nature of the literature, there is sufficient evidence to indicate the disproportionate rates of cancer among this native population. RESULTS An important result of this review is the prescription regarding the incorporation of cultural practices and beliefs into health care services. In particular, incorporating the traditional Hawaiian diet into nutrition programs aimed at health education and promotion may have long‐term consequences for cancer prevention. Preliminary data on dietary intervention for Native Hawaiians reveal success on several health indices. CONCLUSIONS Intervention programs that use elements of a culture, such as the traditional Hawaiian diet, reflect the inherent strengths of that culture. A resolution to improve health status of Native Hawaiians in the 21st century will, in part, require a respect and systematic inclusion of such traditional elements into health care services. Cancer 1996;78:1558‐63.