The USAPI abbreviation stands for the United States Affiliated Pacific Islands. Furthermore, the USAPIJ is used with, the J standing for ‘Jurisdictions’.
The islands of the USAPI are scattered across the immense Pacific Ocean north and south of the equator spanning one million square miles across five time zones including the international dateline. The USAPI consists of:The islands are culturally and linguistically diverse with more than a dozen spoken languages. While the indigenous peoples of the USAPI are rich in culture they are small in population. The islands are fragile but in the past, they have been plentiful, rich eco-systems. Multiple complex factors contribute to the severe health disparities in these islands. Colonization and rapid westernization have adversely affected many of the social, cultural, and environmental structures and practices that traditionally supported and protected the health of the islands, their waters and their people. Within only the last two decades the epidemiologic profile in the Pacific has shifted dramatically from predominantly infectious diseases to among the highest incidence and prevalence of preventable chronic diseases in the world, such as diabetes, hypertension and, cardiovascular disease. Cancer mortality is now the second most common cause of death in nearly all USAPI jurisdictions.
On May 25, 2010, the Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) declared a Regional State of Health Emergency in the USAPI due to the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). “These islands have some of the highest rates of non-communicable disease in the world. Diabetes, heart diseases, strokes, cancer, and other NCDs are killing off Pacific peoples, placing a significant burden on their daily functionality, and threatening the national security of these island countries and territories,” explained Dr. Stevenson Kuartei, former PIHOA President and Minister of Health of the Republic of Palau. “Non-communicable diseases impair workers, increase absenteeism, and cause untold suffering to patients and families but also lead to increased health care costs, including off-island medical referrals.”
Below is a video presentation given by Dr. Buenconsejo-Lum on the topic of Comprehensive Cancer Control in the U.S. Pacific.