UH Medical School Receives 12.6 Million in Research Funding

The University of Hawaii,  John A. Burns School of Medicine has received a 12.6 million dollar  grant from the Federal Government in order conduct the research which will provide answers about why certain minority groups of Hawaiians have greater incidences of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer and dementia.  Not only will they try to find out why such large numbers of people in minorities get these diseases, but also, what new techniques can be put in place now to begin to reduce these numbers, lessen suffering, and improve the quality of life for these people.

How Will this Research Be Conducted?

The National Institute of Health gave the funds to JABSOM in order for them to draw on the best minds in medicine, pharmacy, cancer research, social science, natural science, and many other fields, in order to study years of research that have been compiled which reveal that far more Native Hawaiians (Pacific Islanders) suffer from these diseases than other Hawaiians.

What will be done to Improve Lives?

After studying the research, and sharing their theories, a determination will be made as to what new techniques can be put in place today, to alleviate suffering.  Dr. Jerris Hedges, Dean of JABSOM, will be in charge of conducting the investigation.  It is the intention of these experts to find new treatments which can be immediately available to all of those who suffer.  This means that the findings will make it to the treatment centers, clinics, and doctors’ offices.  New procedures and techniques for managing the pain, fighting carcinogens, controlling blood sugar, and slowing memory loss will made available to each patient.

What Will 12.6 Million Buy?

Those who participate in this quest for answers to the question “why do these people have much more serious  illness than other members of this multi-cultural population that is Hawaii,” hope to bring answers to this question which will result in an end to this phenomenon.  Also, lives will be greatly improved, and the quality of each person’s existence, here on Maui as well as nationally for future generations will be infinitely better than it has ever been.