PROJECT SUMMARY
Historically, data on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) have been
aggregated with Asians thereby masking disparities across this diverse group. Recent
disaggregation of NHPIs in health data sets, such as the National Health Interview Survey
(NHIS) in the United States (US), indicate that NHPI health disparities continue to exist. The
NHIS excludes the US territories and affiliated Pacific Islands where non-communicable
diseases (NCD) have been declared a health emergency. One NCD, common yet understudied in
the US Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI), is gout sometimes resulting from hyperuricemia.
NHPIs in the US experience a higher burden of gout and hyperuricemia. Furthermore, half-
century old data suggest differences in gout and hyperuricemia among populations in the
USAPIs, but the data needs updating. In partnership with the University of Michigan, the
University of Guam proposes two specific aims to: 1) establish a Micronesian Data Laboratory at
the University of Guam, and 2) conduct the first Guam NHIS with a representative probability
sample of 500 households of adults and adolescents in Guam with an emphasis on measuring
gout and hyperuricemia prevalence. The Micronesian Data Laboratory will occur in Years 1 and
2 and require identifying and equipping the physical space, as well as forming a Steering
Committee working with community partners. The research approach in Years 3 to 5 will entail
the Guam NHIS preparation (sampling frame design, finalization of instruments, interviewer
training), implementation (household recruitment and interviews), and analysis and
dissemination of findings. Throughout the project, the research team will engage the Steering
Committee and community partners – a process that may identify novel alternative approaches
to enhance research implementation in the COVID-19 era sustainable through our Micronesian
Data Laboratory. The inaugural GNHIS findings will inform policy or program needs to support
population health, generate future collaborative grant proposals, and serve as a model for other
territories or USAPIs interested in NHIS or similar survey implementation.
