Samoa Food-Related Health Issues Case Study - F. o. F. Flashcards
What did a typical Samoan diet compose of?
Fresh fish, taro, fresh fruit and veg
Where does Samoa rank in the Pacific for diabetes?
9th out of ten countries
What is the highest cause of death and disability in Samoa?
Diabetes
What is the ratio of people to GPs?
1 GP to 45,000 people
What is the effect of a surge of diabetes on people’s life expectancy?
It is falling dramatically
What is believed to be the greatest issue with the Samoan diabetes crisis?
The lack of knowledge of management
What proportion of hospital admissions are due to diabetes or diabetes-related complications?
20%
Why is money a reason that most diabetics face such issues?
They avoid seeking medical treatment as it is expensive, favouring herbal treatments instead
What, in addition to money, are reasons for Samoan people not seeking medical aid?
Superstition, fear
How much of Samoa’s medical budget goes to diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses?
50%
What is the main cause of hospitalisation?
Infections leading to amputations
What used to be major exports for Samoa?
Cocoa and bananas
What is the ratio of imports to exports in Samoa?
40 x imports than exports
What legal things have the Samoan government tried to do to reduce the risk of diabetes?
Introduce sugar tax
Why was the Samoan sugar tax revoked?
New Zealand and USA blocked Samoa’s access to the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
