For Immediate Release
2018 ASTHO Annual Meeting Features PIHOA's Dr. Mark Durand as a Keynote Speaker
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 2, 2018 - PIHOA's Performance and Health Information Systems Coordinator, Dr. Mark Durand speaks at the 2018 Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Meeting last week.

Dr. Durand shared the collective efforts being done through policy in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs) to improve health and well-being following the 2010 Regional State of Health Emergency due to the Epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Back in 2010, data showed that these islands had some of the highest rates of NCDs in the world, such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and cancer, with people dying left and right, placing a significant burden on the daily functionality of these islands.

Tobacco, alcohol, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity were the four driving NCD risk factors found among the USAPI youth and adults. "We came up with fifteen essential policies for reversing the epidemic of NCDs in the jurisdictions, which can be as easy as increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol, implementing policies that promote local foods and promoting physical activity in schools and the work place," said Dr. Durand.

Majority of the proven effective measures, such as policy interventions are still a work in progress throughout the region, however, Pacific Island Health Leaders are natural advocates in the fight against NCDs. Dr. Durand added that, "As of 2018, smoking and alcohol prevalence are showing some improvements, we are making more progress with youth than adults, surveillance is improving, and for the first time, we are seeing modest decrease in child obesity in a jurisdiction (Guam)."

Dr. Durand concluded his presentation by stressing the importance of policy as the driving force to eliminate NCDs in the islands. He tied this back to the Pacific Healthy Islands Vision which assures that children are nurtured in body and mind, environments invite learning and leisure, people work and age with dignity, ecological balance is a source of pride, and the oceans that sustain us are protected.

"Anyone who loves the islands can't help but be moved by this vision," said Dr. Durand.

Click HERE to view Dr. Durand's presentation.
About PIHOA
The Pacific Island Health Officers' Association (PIHOA) is a non-profit organization that is governed by and represents the collective interests of the Ministers, Secretaries, and Directors of Health of the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Island Countries. This includes the U.S. Territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the freely Associated States of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia. PIHOA's mission is to improve the health and well-being of the Pacific communities it serves by providing, through consensus, a unified credible voice on health issues of regional significance.
Pacific Island Health Officers' Association | 737 Bishop Street, Suite 2075 | Honolulu, HI | 808-537-3131 | www.pihoa.org