School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene Receives $1.2 Million NIH Grant for Diabetes Research

Research will determine behavioral intervention strategies for Asian/Pacific Islanders with Type 2 diabetes

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Dr. Jillian Inouye, (808) 956-5326
School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene
Kristen Bonilla, (808) 956-5039
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Sep 21, 2004

Dr. Jillian Inouye of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa‘s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene has been awarded a five-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for diabetes research, specifically Type 2 diabetes in Asian/Pacific Islanders. This is one of the largest federal research grants the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene has received.

According to School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene Dean Julie Johnson, "This is a significant and well-deserved honor for Dr. Inouye. Her research will make a difference to those with Type 2 diabetes."

Type 2 diabetes is currently viewed as one of the chronic diseases with the most behavioral demands on the patient. Medication must be taken daily, meals must be timed, types of food must be distinguished, exercise must be timed in relationship to meals, and blood testing is often required two to three times a day. Achieving and sustaining such behaviors require not only information and knowledge, but skills, motivation and reinforcement and highly effective behavioral self-management.

The research study planned will determine the effectiveness of a cognitive/behavioral intervention program in enhancing adherence to self-management strategies and improving health outcomes for Asian/Pacific Islanders with Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a significant health concern for Asian/Pacific Islanders with few studies specifically looking at behavioral interventions for individuals and their significant others in this group. Inouye has utilized this intervention for individuals with other chronic conditions with good results. The $1.2 million five-year grant will fund enrollment of 200 or more participants.

In addition to Inouye as principal investigator, the research team consists of co-investigators Dr. Richard Arakaki of the John A Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and Dr. Chen Yen Wang from the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene. Dr. Jim Davis of JABSOM and the Hawaiʻi Medical Services Association is the statistician, and Dr. Gail Melkus from Yale University School of Nursing is a consultant to the project.