Diabetes on Guam, by the numbers

People ask why a diabetes awareness run belongs on Guam and not somewhere else. The short answer is in the data.

Between 1 in 8 and 1 in 5 adults

Guam’s own health survey found diagnosed diabetes rose from about 10 percent of adults in 2011 to roughly 15 percent by 2020, and recent figures put it near 1 in 8. International estimates that also count undiagnosed cases put it closer to 1 in 5. Either way, the trend is going the wrong direction, and a lot of it has not been caught yet.

Guam loses more people to diabetes than the mainland

Diabetes is among Guam’s top leading causes of death. The Guam Community Health Assessment found people here die from diabetes at a rate about 78 percent higher than the United States overall. The International Diabetes Federation lists Guam among the highest places in the world for the share of deaths connected to diabetes. It is not a background problem here.

Chamorro families carry more of it

University of Guam research found Chamorro adults on Guam have higher obesity and higher diabetes rates than Asian and Caucasian residents, and higher risk of heart disease and stroke on top of that. It is a Pacific-wide pattern, tied to genetics and to a shift over a few generations away from local foods and daily activity.

Most of the damage is preventable

Caught early, diabetes and its complications, eye disease, kidney disease, amputations, can be prevented or slowed a great deal. That takes screening, regular check-ups, and manageable changes. Steps that can help prevent type 2 diabetes.

What the run does

Free screening on event night. Plain-language resources made to share. A reason for whole families to move together. Support for youth programs. See Run 4 Awareness community impact.