Current Projects.
GROW (Gestational Diabetes and Related Outcomes among American Samoan Women)
Up to 40% of women in American Samoa develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy. This project investigates how a genetic variant in CREBRF that is common in Pacific Islanders, including American Samoans, influences glucose homeostasis, insulin response, GDM risk and risk of T2DM postpartum
Ola Tuputupua’e (Growing Up)
The Ola Tuputupua’e study is the first longitudinal study of child growth and development in the Pacific Island nations. The study observes the causes and consequences of malnutrition among children in the Independent State of Samoa with the goal of informing interventions to prevent cardiometabolic disease.
Tausi Matua
Tausi Matua is a randomized controlled trial of a family-based diabetes intervention. The study works with adolescents who live with a parent or grandparent with diabetes and provides education designed to both improve self-management of diabetes in the adult family member and prevent diabetes-related risk factors in the adolescent.
HOPE (Health Outcomes and Early Pregnancy)
The HOPE Study is a longitudinal, observational study of mother-infant dyads, aiming to understand how genetics, environment, and behavior will impact the health of women during and after pregnancy, as well as the health of children in American Samoa.
Lipidomics & Structural Genomics Study
This project explores the relationships between lipids, genes, environment, heart health, and obesity-related traits among Samoans.
Strong Families
The Strong Families study will adapt and test a family-skills based intervention to promote resilience and mental health among youth in American Samoa.
The MILK Study
The MILK study explores metabolic hormones in human milk and their association with maternal body composition, infant hunger and satiety, and infant growth.
American Samoa Youth Cardiometabolic Risk Survey
This study will establish prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes among adolescents in American Samoa and explore how these conditions are patterned among social networks.
The Diabetes CARE Study
This project uses innovative methods to examine experiences with diabetes care among those newly diagnosed with the disease in Samoa. Data generated from the project will help us understand how best to sustain engagement with care and promote optimal health outcomes.
Recently Completed Projects
Strong Together Raising Our Next Generation (STRONG)
The STRONG study is a randomized controlled trial of a group prenatal care intervention designed to reduce risk of excess gestational weight gain among pregnant women with overweight and obesity.
