Increasing rates of diabetes could make Newzealand Maori people extinct by the end of this century. Diabetes among the Maori population of about 0.5 million is at epidemic proportions.Maori people were most likely to be current smokers, were most likely to have defaulted from the diabetic diet and to be dissatisfied with the diabetes service.       When compared with Europeans, Maori and Pacific Islands patients had a higher chance of having had their diabetes diagnosed in pregnancy, were least likely to be receiving antihypertensive or insulin therapy, were more likely to be blind.   Maori MPs, horrified by headlines saying diabetes could wipe out their race, yesterday demanded immediate Government action to prevent it happening.   Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said there was deep concern over Professor Paul Zimmet's prediction that Maori and Polynesian races could become extinct before the end of the century.   Read more here .     … [Read more...]