Massey researchers zero in on Maori male diabetes
Massey University researchers believe they can identify the risk of diabetes in Maori men as young as their 20s.
Chris Cunningham from the university's Centre for Maori Health and Development says while official statistics say Maori are twice as likely to contract diabetes as Pakeha, his research indicates the rate could be four or five times as much.
He says the research team is looking at fit, active young men so they can see when problems are likely to develop and what people can do to remain healthy.
Dr Cunningham says while men tend to be relatively healthy in their 20s, they may have diets high in fats and energy, so problems emerge when the get less active.
“We've all seen this, typically during your 30s you bloom, you become much bigger, and the result of that is developing diabetes and cardio vascular disease in our 40s and life expectancy somewhere in our 60s is the ultimate end point of that, so we are interested in understanding when the risk develops, what it looks like,” he said.
Chris Cunningham says diabetes and related diseases account for most of the 10 year difference between Maori and non-Maori life expectancy.
DENTAL SURVEY WELCOMED
A Maori academic and health advocate from Otago University is welcoming the most comprehensive study of the state of dental health in New Zealand in the past 20 years.
Dr John Broughton is also a member of Te Ao Marama, the Maori Dentists’ Association.
The Health Minister Pete Hodgson has announced funding for the survey, which will involve 7000 participants from all sectors of New Zealand Society.
Dr Broughton says the survey is timely, and should result in dental intervention strategies for those most in need.
“It does provide concrete evidence that can lead on to targeted funding for intervention, and Maori providers can do this very well,” Broughton said.
BIG BUZZ FOR NGAITAHU EXHIBITION
Senior Ngai Tahu weaver Ranui Ngarimu says the tribe's exhibition at Te Papa, is turning into a fantastic experience.
Mo Taatou opened last weekend, and Ms Ngarimu is part of part of a group of Christchurch weavers who are demonstrating their craft.
She says many visitors want to hear about the history of raranga in the South Island, and learn about the materials and techniques unique to Ngai Tahu.
Ranui has also been appointed to the board of Te Waka Toi, the Maori arm of Creative New Zealand.
HOROMIA PREDICTS DRAMATIC TRANSITION
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says people need to look forwards rather than backwards.
The minister has come under fire for launching the government's new Maori potential framework in the same week a report came out identifying an increase in the poverty between 2000 and 2004, with Maori families being particularly badly affected.
Mr Horomia says that report was historical, and low unemployment, rising skill levels and demographic factors are contributing to a dramatic tranformation of Maori society.
“This will be one of the great, exciting and dramatic transitions for Maori. In the next two to four years a lot of our traditional keaders will pass on. Kara he karanga mate tera, it’s going to happen, and with it goes a whole lot of traditional connections, with it goes a lot of that expertise in the sense of being from children who were brought up by grandparents from the old age,” Horomia said.
LANGUAGE HUI FOR EXPERT SPEAKERS
A hui being held this weekend aims to lift the standard of whai korero on marae.
It's been organised by the former maori language commissioner, Timoti Karetu.
Te Panekiritanga o te Reo, or the pinnacle of the language, is at Hawke's Bay's Eastern Institute of Technology this weekend.
Professor Karetu says he expects a lot of younger speakers to attend as they are assuming roles on the paepae to compensate for a shortgae of te reo speakers in the 45 to 60 year old age group.
He says the invitation-only event is for confident speakers of Maori who want to take their language to a higher level.
“It sounds terribly snooty, but it isn’t meant to be. It’s for those who are committed to occupying those roles and assume them with a great deal ofr mana and panache. Whaikorero demands another level of language use, and that’s why Te Panekiritanga was set up. It’s for people who have a very good command and want to do up.another notch,” Karetu said.
DENTAL GRADUATES SOUGHT
Dr John Broughton from Te Ao Marama, the Maori dentists’ association, says while there's always room for more, he is encouraged by the numbers of Maori studying dentistry at Otago University.
He says dental health is still a major issue for Maori, and he welcomes a comprehensive survey on the overall state of dental health in New Zealand, which was announced yesterday by the Minister of Health Pete Hodgson.
Dr Broughton says Maori communities need to encourage rangatahi who show promise in the sciences to consider a careeer in dentistry.
But he's encouraged by the numbers currently enrolled at the University, where about 25 Maori are enrolled.
Chris Cunningham from the university's Centre for Maori Health and Development says while official statistics say Maori are twice as likely to contract diabetes as Pakeha, his research indicates the rate could be four or five times as much.
He says the research team is looking at fit, active young men so they can see when problems are likely to develop and what people can do to remain healthy.
Dr Cunningham says while men tend to be relatively healthy in their 20s, they may have diets high in fats and energy, so problems emerge when the get less active.
“We've all seen this, typically during your 30s you bloom, you become much bigger, and the result of that is developing diabetes and cardio vascular disease in our 40s and life expectancy somewhere in our 60s is the ultimate end point of that, so we are interested in understanding when the risk develops, what it looks like,” he said.
Chris Cunningham says diabetes and related diseases account for most of the 10 year difference between Maori and non-Maori life expectancy.
DENTAL SURVEY WELCOMED
A Maori academic and health advocate from Otago University is welcoming the most comprehensive study of the state of dental health in New Zealand in the past 20 years.
Dr John Broughton is also a member of Te Ao Marama, the Maori Dentists’ Association.
The Health Minister Pete Hodgson has announced funding for the survey, which will involve 7000 participants from all sectors of New Zealand Society.
Dr Broughton says the survey is timely, and should result in dental intervention strategies for those most in need.
“It does provide concrete evidence that can lead on to targeted funding for intervention, and Maori providers can do this very well,” Broughton said.
BIG BUZZ FOR NGAITAHU EXHIBITION
Senior Ngai Tahu weaver Ranui Ngarimu says the tribe's exhibition at Te Papa, is turning into a fantastic experience.
Mo Taatou opened last weekend, and Ms Ngarimu is part of part of a group of Christchurch weavers who are demonstrating their craft.
She says many visitors want to hear about the history of raranga in the South Island, and learn about the materials and techniques unique to Ngai Tahu.
Ranui has also been appointed to the board of Te Waka Toi, the Maori arm of Creative New Zealand.
HOROMIA PREDICTS DRAMATIC TRANSITION
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says people need to look forwards rather than backwards.
The minister has come under fire for launching the government's new Maori potential framework in the same week a report came out identifying an increase in the poverty between 2000 and 2004, with Maori families being particularly badly affected.
Mr Horomia says that report was historical, and low unemployment, rising skill levels and demographic factors are contributing to a dramatic tranformation of Maori society.
“This will be one of the great, exciting and dramatic transitions for Maori. In the next two to four years a lot of our traditional keaders will pass on. Kara he karanga mate tera, it’s going to happen, and with it goes a whole lot of traditional connections, with it goes a lot of that expertise in the sense of being from children who were brought up by grandparents from the old age,” Horomia said.
LANGUAGE HUI FOR EXPERT SPEAKERS
A hui being held this weekend aims to lift the standard of whai korero on marae.
It's been organised by the former maori language commissioner, Timoti Karetu.
Te Panekiritanga o te Reo, or the pinnacle of the language, is at Hawke's Bay's Eastern Institute of Technology this weekend.
Professor Karetu says he expects a lot of younger speakers to attend as they are assuming roles on the paepae to compensate for a shortgae of te reo speakers in the 45 to 60 year old age group.
He says the invitation-only event is for confident speakers of Maori who want to take their language to a higher level.
“It sounds terribly snooty, but it isn’t meant to be. It’s for those who are committed to occupying those roles and assume them with a great deal ofr mana and panache. Whaikorero demands another level of language use, and that’s why Te Panekiritanga was set up. It’s for people who have a very good command and want to do up.another notch,” Karetu said.
DENTAL GRADUATES SOUGHT
Dr John Broughton from Te Ao Marama, the Maori dentists’ association, says while there's always room for more, he is encouraged by the numbers of Maori studying dentistry at Otago University.
He says dental health is still a major issue for Maori, and he welcomes a comprehensive survey on the overall state of dental health in New Zealand, which was announced yesterday by the Minister of Health Pete Hodgson.
Dr Broughton says Maori communities need to encourage rangatahi who show promise in the sciences to consider a careeer in dentistry.
But he's encouraged by the numbers currently enrolled at the University, where about 25 Maori are enrolled.
posted by Adam | 11:18 pm
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