A recent study by University of Hawai’i at Manoa researchers has uncovered significant health disparities affecting Native Hawaiians. The research, published in the Journal of American Medical Association, found that Native Hawaiians age faster than White and Japanese populations, likely due to underlying health conditions and socioeconomic factors.
Lead author Alika Maunakea and his team analyzed blood samples from 376 participants to measure biological aging, which is determined by examining blood cells rather than chronological age. The results showed that Native Hawaiians have a 25% higher rate of biological aging compared to Whites, translating to approximately an eight-year difference in longevity.
The study also revealed that Native Hawaiians are diagnosed with diabetes around ten years younger than other racial or ethnic groups. Maunakea, who grew up in a Hawaiian homestead in Waianae, has personally witnessed these health disparities in his community.
However, the research offers hope. Maunakea emphasized that “disease is not our destiny” and noted that individuals who engage in higher physical activity and maintain healthier diets tend to have more normal biological aging, even in low-income neighborhoods.
The researchers are now investigating whether these variations in biological age between ethnic groups stem from inherent biological differences or social inequalities. Maunakea recommends that Native Hawaiians focus on lifestyle choices, education, nutrition, and exercise to improve their health outcomes.
This study sheds light on the urgent need to address health disparities among Native Hawaiians and underscores the importance of targeted interventions to promote healthier aging in this population.
See “Study Finds Native Hawaiians age faster than other groups” (August 15, 2024)
