Geographical Locations - Micronesia

• (Statistical) Number of Inhabitants per Doctor: 3,084
• CIA - World Factbook : Micronesia, Federated States of

Organisations and Networks

UN and Multinational

• WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) in Manila (Philippines)
  - WHO - Environmental Burden of Disease: Country Profile – Federated States of Micronesia

Government

• Government of the Federated States of Micronesia :
  - Health statistics

Non-Government

• Peace Corps in Micronesia

Academic Institutions

National Policy and Related Documents

Reports, Guidelines, and Projects

• Intentional injury reported by young people in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kingdom of Tonga and Vanuatu
  Background: Intentional injury presents a threat to the physical and psychological well being of young people, especially in developing countries, which carry the greatest part of the global injury burden. While the importance of this problem is recognized, there are limited population data in low and middle income countries that can guide public health action. The present study investigates the prevalence and distribution of intentional injury among young people in three Pacific Island societies, and examines behavioural and psychosocial factors related to risk of intentional injury. Methods: Population surveys were conducted with students aged 11–17 years in Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia (n = 1495), the Kingdom of Tonga (n = 2808) and Vanuatu (n = 4474). Surveys measured self-reported injury and intentional injury, sources of intentional injury, and the range of behavioural, psychological, educational and social variables that may be related to injury risk. Results: Among boys and girls aged 14–17 years the respective period prevalence of intentional injury was 62% and 56% in Pohnpei, 58% and 41% in Tonga, and 33% and 24% in Vanuatu. The prevalence of intentional injury declined with age in Tonga and Vanuatu, but there was little evidence of an age-trend in Pohnpei. Across the three societies, the major sources of intentional injury among boys were 'other persons' followed by boyfriends/girlfriends and fathers. Mothers, boyfriends/ girlfriends and other persons were primary sources of injury among girls. An intentional injury was reported more often by those who had been bullied (OR 1.40–1.66, P < 0.05), by regular smokers in Tonga and Vanuatu (OR 1.52–2.21, P < 0.05), and illicit drug users in Pohnpei and Vanuatu (OR 1.87–1.92, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Intentional injury was reported extensively in these three populations. Interventions directed towards the school environment and which take into account the role of bullying and drug use need to be considered. [author abstract] [BMC Public Health 2008, 8: 145]
• Micronesian staple foods and the "yellow varieties message"
  "The great shift from traditional foods to rice and other imported highly processed and fatty foods has been followed by serious problems of nutritionally-related diseases in the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Kiribati. For all three countries there are now serious emerging problems of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD), and chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer. Programs to promote leafy green vegetables met with limited success (they were not previously eaten). There are many varieties of the major staple foods: banana, giant swamp taro, breadfruit and pandanus. A systematic multiple-methodological participatory assessment of the nutrient content of samples of these revealed a great range of nutrient content and that those varieties with a deeper yellow flesh coloration are carotenoid-rich." [Biodiversity International]
• Needs Assessment for Micronesian Health Care in Hawai’i
  "Over the past few decades, there has been a significant migration of Micronesians to the islands of Hawai’i due to the complex historical relationship that many Pacific Island nations of Micronesia have with the United States. Micronesians are faced with a multitude of health care issues including infectious diseases and health challenges due to lifestyle changes. Thousands of Micronesians have sought health care in the Hawai’i since the Compacts of Free Association (1986) granted Micronesians access to health care in the United States. A result of this migration is an overwhelmed health care system in the State of Hawai’i, particularly community-based health care centers… Several health topics were identified as concerns for both the Micronesian community and the health care centers providing services to this population. The six topics of cancer, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, obesity, diabetes and mental health were identified as key issues to be addressed and are discussed in further detail within this report. Concerns that were brought forth from the Micronesian community and the health care providers include: transportation and community/medical outreach, pronounced cultural differences, information dissemination and sharing, health literacy, translation and interpreter issues, and mental and behavioral health." [Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, May 2009]
• UNGASS 2008 Country Progress Report: Federated States of Micronesia
  "Since the first case was detected in FSM [Federated States of Micronesia] in 1989, a total 35 cases of HIV and AIDS have been reported here. The number of confirmed cases of HIV has steadily mounted. In 2007, 3 new cases of HIV were confirmed, and tests were continuing on another 9,010 people, involving altogether 3,746 men and 5,264 women. By the end of 2007, with the total of 35 confirmed cases in the FSM, 27 of these individuals had died from AIDS related illnesses and 5 had left the country. There are then 3 known PLWH [People Living With HIV] in FSM." [The National Department of Health and Social Affairs, Palikir, Federated States of Micronesia for the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS]
• Zika Virus Outbreak on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia
  Background: In 2007, physicians on Yap Island reported an outbreak of illness characterized by rash, conjunctivitis, and arthralgia. Although serum from some patients had IgM antibody against dengue virus, the illness seemed clinically distinct from previously detected dengue. Subsequent testing with the use of consensus primers detected Zika virus RNA in the serum of the patients but no dengue virus or other arboviral RNA. No previous outbreaks and only 14 cases of Zika virus disease have been previously documented. Methods: We obtained serum samples from patients and interviewed patients for information on clinical signs and symptoms. Zika virus disease was confirmed by a finding of Zika virus RNA or a specific neutralizing antibody response to Zika virus in the serum. Patients with IgM antibody against Zika virus who had a potentially cross-reactive neutralizing-antibody response were classified as having probable Zika virus disease. We conducted a household survey to estimate the proportion of Yap residents with IgM antibody against Zika virus and to identify possible mosquito vectors of Zika virus. Results: We identified 49 confirmed and 59 probable cases of Zika virus disease. The patients resided in 9 of the 10 municipalities on Yap. Rash, fever, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis were common symptoms. No hospitalizations, hemorrhagic manifestations, or deaths due to Zika virus were reported. We estimated that 73% (95% confidence interval, 68 to 77) of Yap residents 3 years of age or older had been recently infected with Zika virus. Aedes hensilli was the predominant mosquito species identified. Conclusions: This outbreak of Zika virus illness in Micronesia represents transmission of Zika virus outside Africa and Asia. Although most patients had mild illness, clinicians and public health officials should be aware of the risk of further expansion of Zika virus transmission. [author abstract] [N Engl J Med 2009; 360: 2536-43]

Educational Resources