Abstract A053: Prevalence of diabetes and indicators influencing metabolic syndrome in the Cucapah Community, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

This study presents preliminary findings on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and indicators associated with metabolic syndrome among children and adults in the Indigenous Cucapah community, located in Mexicali, Baja California—a region characterized by extreme climate conditions and limited access to healthcare services. Using a collaborative, intercultural approach that respects local contexts, community-based clinical evaluations, semi-structured interviews, and participatory workshops were conducted with community members. The aim was to identify key risk factors associated with non-communicable chronic diseases, and to explore structural and sociocultural barriers that hinder prevention, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. The results indicate a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, abdominal obesity, and other markers of metabolic syndrome, particularly among adult women. Contributing factors include a dietary transition toward processed foods, a decline in the consumption of traditional foods such as fish, physical inactivity resulting from lifestyle changes, and limited access to culturally relevant, high-quality, and continuous healthcare services. The study also reveals a lack of prevention programs targeting Indigenous border communities and weak integration between public health systems and the cultural realities of these populations. As such, it calls for the urgent development of binational public health policies that promote health equity, recognize traditional knowledge, and ensure sustainable, culturally adapted interventions to address this growing health crisis. Citation Format: Daniela Gonzalez Valencia, Maria Josse Navarro Ibarra, Linda Lara Jacobo, Alva Laprada Villegas, Maria José Navarro Ibarra, Vanessa Davila Conn. Prevalence of diabetes and indicators influencing metabolic syndrome in the Cucapah Community, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A053.