BACKGROUND Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic infection that has been recognized for decades, but the problem of the disease has not been fully addressed, particularly in resource-poor, developing countries, where the major burden of the disease occurs. This paper presents an overview of the current situation of leptospirosis in the region. It describes the current trends in the epidemiology...

In addition to the obvious link between tobacco consumption and cancer of the lung and oral cavity, there is increasing evidence that carcinogens in smoke many also have an impact in many other organ sites. The potential damage of second hand smoke, especially to children, also requires stress. While studies of gene polymorphisms for enzymes involved in carcinogen metabolism have pointed to a g...

This report presents the results of an investigation into the sources of, and obstacles to, economic growth in the small Pacific island economies. The analytical framework is that provided by Hausmann, Rodrik, and Velasco (2005). The focus of this framework is on identifying the binding constraints to economic growth within a country, given that the investigator has detailed knowledge of the co...

Pacific Island countries (PICs) are experiencing an epidemic of obesity and consequent chronic diseases. Despite investment in the development of National Plans of Action for Nutrition (NPANs) and interventions to promote healthy eating and physical activity, nutritional status appears to show little improvement. This paper presents a synthesis of the findings from two research papers that were...

Over the past decade there has been an evident shift in the attitudes of Pacific peoples, governments and donors to the continued urbanisation of the region and the serious challenges emerging as a result. While not denying the obvious needs of rural development, and the connection rural poverty has with the pace and character of urban development, the region’s cities are clearly, and belatedly...

This study analyzes trends in analyst forecast properties from 1987 through 1998 in the United States and seven Pacific Rim countries: Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. Analyst forecast properties in the United States have become less dispersed, more accurate, and less optimistic during the sample period. Similar trends exist in Australia and New Zeala...

Background The provision, maintenance and promotion of the health of infants as a vulnerable group in health care services are a high priority, and the first step in reducing infant mortality and improving their health is undoubtedly the identification of their mortality status. We aimed to study the spatial distribution of premature infant mortality in 194 count...

BACKGROUND There is broad consensus that diets high in salt are bad for health and that reducing salt intake is a cost-effective strategy for preventing chronic diseases. The World Health Organization has been supporting the development of salt reduction strategies in the Pacific Islands where salt intakes are thought to be high. However, there are no accurate measures of salt intake in these c...