Using implementation and climate science to diminish Dengue in the FSM and RMI
Details Written by Bill Jaynes
(Hagåtña, Guam) – Many US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs) are disproportionately affected by climate change. Low elevation islands, particularly those in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), have already experienced rising sea levels and persistent drought affecting access to drinking water, decreased living space, and climate-sensitive diseases like dengue.
The FSM and RMI health leadership and PIHOA have teamed up with the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) U.S. Department of State to building predictive models. Using climate and dengue data, the team will develop and implement early warning systems against dengue for the FSM and RMI. This lead time would allow FSM and RMI to train vector staff, reduce mosquito sources, test insecticide resistance, and
U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands. The session drew more than 100 participants from around the world through Zoom. It was the first time
UH has presented at the conference since becoming a member of
CUGH in 2018.
“By virtue of its geographic location and longstanding partnerships with academic institutions and ministries of health in the Asia-Pacific region,
UH is strategically positioned to provide a Pacific-focused perspective to the global health conversation,” said
Aimee Grace, director of the
UH Office of Strategic Health Initiatives and lead organizer for the event. “We are honored to have had the opportunity to exchange knowledge and resources with our colleagues around the globe.”