Professor Sir Jim Mann, co-director of the University of Otago's Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre, says the partnership with Ngāti Hine Health Trust is about addressing persistent inequities in diabetes care.
Professor Sir Jim Mann, co-director of the University of Otago's Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre, says the partnership with Ngāti Hine Health Trust is about addressing persistent inequities in diabetes care.
A new partnership aims to tackle inequities that see Māori develop diabetes up to 10 years younger than non-Māori and face more amputations due to diabetes-related complications.
A research agreement between the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and Ngāti Hine Health Trust will support the trust’s existing programmesand services, as well as relevant kaupapa Māori research, strengthening the trust’s research capacity.
A 2020 study by the university’s Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre found Māori developed diabetes up to 10 years younger and progressed to more serious disease more quickly, yet were less likely to receive appropriate blood-sugar monitoring and renal screening tests.
Among those with diabetes, Māori were 5.5 times more likely to develop renal failure than non-Māori and a third more likely to have lower limb amputations from severe diabetes-related complications.
Northland-based Ngāti Hine Health Trust, one of the largest Māori health providers, said about 64% of its 4200 enrolled patients had diabetes, a rate far higher than the national average, and it significantly affected whānau.
The partnership will enable the university and the trust to work together to help solve the “persistent inequity”, said Professor Sir Jim Mann, co-director of the Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre.
“Our desire is to establish, maintain and grow trusting relationships with intergenerational impact contributing to the strength and vitality of Ngāti Hine.”
Ngāti Hine Health Trust chief executive Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti says research is needed that "speaks to our realities and supports solutions we can lead".
Health trust chief executive Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti, who has diabetes, said the partnership was a “milestone for our whānau and for the future of Māori health”.
“With so many of our whānau impacted by conditions like diabetes and obesity, we need research that speaks to our realities and supports solutions we can lead.
“This partnership with the University of Otago is about combining expertise with kaupapa Māori values to create evidence that drives better outcomes for Ngāti Hine and Te Tai Tokerau.”
The partnership was announced on Friday, which was World Diabetes Day.
The first project for the partnership will be based on footcare, an important part of diabetes care because the condition can result in amputation of toes, feet or part of the lower limb.
Mann said amputations were largely avoidable if feet were monitored properly.
The footcare programme could be New Zealand-leading, he said.
“We will be working together as they develop an enhanced footcare programme for Ngāti Hine Health Trust patients, and evaluate it to prove that it is effective for people with diabetes.”
Mann said the partnership’s work would be consistent with a national plan for diabetes prevention and care, set to be released by the Government.
It employed a podiatrist and fulltime nutritionist, grew vegetable seedlings in community gardens and ran programmes to promote physical activity.
The Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre was formed in 2003 to improve diabetes and obesity outcomes nationally and internationally through research, advocacy, guidelines and policy advice to the Government.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
