Health in the Marshall Islands
The people of the Marshall Islands face considerable challenges to maintain the health of its citizens. Recently, high population growth and crowded conditions in urban areas, have given rise to diseases, such as tuberculosis and leprosy. These conditions typically come about in rapid growth areas of the world that have limited economic and medical resources. In addition, exposure to the influence of Western culture has brought about a rise in the levels of adult obesity, non-communicable diseases, teenage pregnancy, suicide, and alcoholism, and tobacco use.
The government of the Marshall Islands, along with the assistance of groups such as the World Health Organization, has identified and begun to effect solutions to the health care challenges that face the Marshalls. Future efforts will focus on the training native Marshallese health professionals, strengthening community health care programs, upgrading the quality of health care, and increasing the efficiency of the dissemination of health care information to the citizens of the Marshall Islands. Other health related issues that must be addressed include the need to reduce population growth and urban population densities, longstanding solutions to malnutrition and other conditions that plague the Marshalls.
RMI Ministry of Health Annual Reports (PDF format)