SUVA - Health experts believe the risk of developing tuberculosis is three times higher for people who have diabetes than people who do not.
This means many diabetes patients also need to be treated for TB.
Experts from 19 Pacific nations and territories met recently in Palau to discuss the convergence of the two diseases.
They are now calling for a greater commitment from Pacific nations in how they care for people with both diseases and what to do to prevent them.
Secretariat of the Pacific Communitys Acting TB adviser, Kerri Viney says lifestyle changes are largely to blame for the increase in diabetes in the last 100 years.
Were not as active, were sedentary, and nutrition has changed significantly, and consequently theres a large increase in overweight and obesity, and then these people often go on to develop diabetes, Viney said.