Pacific Island Countries and Climate Change: Examining Associated Human Health Vulnerabilities
Nancy Averett writes about science and the environment from Cincinnati, OH. Her work has been published in Pacific Standard, Audubon, Discover, E/The Environmental Magazine, and a variety of other publications. About This Article open Citation: Averett N. 2016. Pacific island countries and climate change: examining associated human health vulnerabilities. Environ Health Perspect 124:A208; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/124-A208 Published: 1 November 2016 PDF Version (645 KB) Related EHP Article Health Impacts of Climate Change in Pacific Island Countries: A Regional Assessment of Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Prior...
Source: EHP Research - November 1, 2016 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Web Admin Tags: News Science Selections November 2016 Source Type: research

Progress towards achieving hepatitis B control in the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and Kiribati.
CONCLUSIONS: The Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau have made remarkable progress in establishing strong vaccination programs and towards decreasing the burden of hepatitis B among children. Kiribati still needs to improve vaccination coverage to achieve the <1% HBsAg target established by the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region. PMID: 27402565 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)
Source: Vaccine - July 7, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Patel MK, Wannemuehler K, Tairi R, Tutai R, Moturi E, Tabwaia B, Nikuata AB, Etuale MF, Mokoia G Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Risk and Protective Factors Affecting Sexual Risk Behavior Among School-Aged Adolescents in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu
There are limited studies on the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behavior among adolescents in Pacific Island countries. In order to inform public sexual and reproductive health interventions, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of various sexual risk behaviors among in-school adolescents in 4 Pacific Island countries using data from the Global School-Based Health Survey. In a cross-sectional study, 6792 school-going adolescents (49.7% boys and 50.3% girls; 13-16 years old) from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. Overall, 18.9% of ...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - June 30, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Peltzer, K., Pengpid, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

PS289 Challenges Facing Sustainability and Integration of RHD Control and Prevention Programmes in Pacific Small Island Nations
The Pacific region has the highest documented Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) prevalence globally yet it struggles to achieve the profile and attention it deserves from governments and funding bodies. In 2010, the Pacific RHD control programme with aid from the Australian government endeavored on a project to assist Ministries of Health in four Pacific Island countries (Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu) control RHD. (Source: CVD Prevention and Control)
Source: CVD Prevention and Control - May 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: E. Kennedy, S. La Vincente, P. Timeon, T. Tiro, N. Conway, T. Nasi, G. Kenilorea, D. Engelman, J. Carapetis, S. Colquhoun Tags: Poster Abstract Source Type: research

Mortality and life expectancy in Kiribati based on analysis of reported deaths
Kiribati is an atoll country of 103,058 (2010 Census) situated in the central Pacific. Previous mortality estimates have been derived from demographic analyses of census data. This is the first mortality analy... (Source: Population Health Metrics)
Source: Population Health Metrics - February 29, 2016 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Karen L. Carter, Tibwataake Baiteke, Tiensi Teea, Teanibuaka Tabunga, Mantarae Itienang, Chalapati Rao, Alan D. Lopez and Richard Taylor Source Type: research

Health Impacts of Climate Change in Pacific Island Countries: A Regional Assessment of Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Priorities
Conclusion: Pacific island countries are among the most vulnerable in the world to the health impacts of climate change. This vulnerability is a function of their unique geographic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, combined with their exposure to changing weather patterns associated with climate change, the health risks entailed, and the limited capacity of the countries to manage and adapt in the face of such risks. This EHP Advance Publication article has been peer-reviewed, revised, and accepted for publication. EHP Advance Publication ar...
Source: EHP Research - December 8, 2015 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Web Admin Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Eye health outreach services in the Pacific Islands region: an updated profile.
CONCLUSION: Data from outreach eye health clinics show marked differences between PICs in the most common presenting conditions. In three countries, it appears there has recently been a reduction in the overall number of patients presenting for treatment. Cautious interpretation of the data is required due to concern about data completeness and quality. PMID: 26367510 [PubMed - in process] (Source: New Zealand Medical Journal)
Source: New Zealand Medical Journal - November 30, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Tags: N Z Med J Source Type: research

IJERPH, Vol. 12, Pages 14505-14518: Overweight and Obesity and Associated Factors among School-Aged Adolescents in Six Pacific Island Countries in Oceania
The aim of this study was to assess overweight and obesity and associated factors in school-going adolescents in six Pacific Island countries in Oceania. The sample included 10,424 school-going adolescents predominantly 13–16 years old from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between dietary behaviour, substance use, physical activity, psychosocial factors, social-familial influences, and overweight or obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined based on self-reported height and weight and the inter...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - November 13, 2015 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Supa PengpidKarl Peltzer Tags: Article Source Type: research

Kiribati's Dilemma: Before We Drown We May Die of Thirst
The island nation is one of the world’s most vulnerable to rising sea levels. But residents may have to leave well before the ocean claims their homes -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - October 28, 2015 Category: Science Tags: Sustainability Climate Environment Ecology Natural Disasters Weather Source Type: research

Before we drown we may die of thirst
Nature 526, 7575 (2015). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/526624a Author: Kenneth R. Weiss The island nation of Kiribati is one of the world's most vulnerable to rising sea levels. But residents may have to leave well before the ocean claims their homes. (Source: Nature)
Source: Nature - October 28, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Kenneth R. Weiss Tags: Feature Source Type: research

I-Kiribati nursing graduates experience of transition from university to Residential Aged Care Facilities in Australia
To explore the experience of international nursing graduates from Kiribati transitioning into practice in RACFs, upon completion of their Bachelor of Nursing degree in Australia. (Source: Nurse Education Today)
Source: Nurse Education Today - October 28, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Elisabeth Coyne, Hazel Rands, Santi Gurung, Ursula Kellett Source Type: research

IJERPH, Vol. 12, Pages 12291-12303: Early Substance Use Initiation and Suicide Ideation and Attempts among School-Aged Adolescents in Four Pacific Island Countries in Oceania
This study aimed to investigate the correlations between early initiation (&lt;12 years) of smoking cigarettes, alcohol use, and drug use (cannabis) with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in school-aged adolescents in four Pacific Island countries in Oceania. The sample included 6540 adolescents (≤13 to ≥16 years old) from Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the association between pre-adolescent substance use initiation and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Results indicate a prevalence of 25.8% suicidal ideation in the past 12 mo...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - September 30, 2015 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Karl PeltzerSupa Pengpid Tags: Article Source Type: research

The Kiribati People Battle Sea Level Rise [Slide Show]
Residents of the island nation are pursuing a range of work to fortify their homeland -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - March 7, 2015 Category: Science Tags: Web Exclusives More Science Society & Policy Energy Sustainability Environment Ecology Source Type: research

Island Nations May Be Flooded by Dubious Intentions
Using the Pacific nation of Kiribati as a poster child for the ravages of rising seas is not only misleading, it may also be harmful -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - March 2, 2015 Category: Science Tags: Features Energy & Sustainability Climate Environment Ecology Source Type: research