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DOH targets seniors with diabetes prevention info

reporters@samoanews.com

In its quest to ensure that the community including senior citizens are aware of ways and methods to prevent diabetes in American Samoa, the Department of Health has launched a new six-week awareness program, starting last week with seniors citizens, who are members of the Toe Afua Mai Matua (TAMM) organization, which has been well-known for working with students on various Samoan issues such as culture and handicrafts.

DOH’s Diabetes Control and Health Prevention under the leadership of Iutita Sataua, spearheaded the program. Sataua said early this week that the six week awareness program for TAMM began last week and it’s held on Wednesdays and includes exercise. Other days of the week, it gives participants the chance to do their own exercises at home, not only to prevent diabetes but other non-communicable diseases.

Sataua also said that one of the issues that they are trying to stress to the community is the importance of seeing a doctor to ensure the individual remains healthy and doesn’t have any other health problems. She said people usually wait until they don’t feel well or are sick before they see a doctor.

She recommends that the community make it a habit to see a doctor for an annual check up to make sure they remain healthy and strong. And she also recommends daily exercise as well as healthy eating habits — like vegetables and fruits.