Citation

Lewis ND, Rapaport M. Health Place 1995; 1(4): 211-226.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/1353-8292(95)00030-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes the changing spectrum of health and disease in the island communities of the Pacific, providing evidence for multiple health transitions in the region. Overall, mortality levels have improved during the past decade in over half the island groups. Infectious disease is on the decline but remains important in Melanesia, along with elevated infant and maternal mortality rates. HIV/AIDS exacerbates serious problems posed by STDs. Diseases of modernization are on the increase, especially in urbanized Polynesian and Micronesian communities. Women face unique problems in some areas, including marked status differentials, teen pregnancy and violence. Alcohol use, violent conflicts and adolescent suicide are growing concerns in the islands. Ecological disruption has led to degraded environments, especially in urban areas, and increases in diseases associated with these as well as fish poisoning and malaria. Risks of exposure to nuclear toxicity, a threat for half a decade, remain. Health services face particular challenges owing to problems of scale, fragmentation, and stagnant economies. © 1995.

Language: en

Keywords

health impact; medical geography; disease transmission; sexually transmitted disease; Pacific islands; disease incidence; epidemiological transition; environmental pollution; health transition; healthcare policy; policy implication; developing region; diseases of modernization; health and environment; island community; mortality trend; Pacific, (Islands); Pacific, Melanesia; Pacific, Polynesia