THE impact of factors like income, resources and geography on health in the Pacific Islands and issues regarding non-communicable diseases in the region will headline discussions at the Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium which begins tomorrow in Nadi.
According to a statement by the Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases, extensive research has been conducted in the region and the symposium will provide a platform for researchers and health professionals to share and discuss findings in the hope that these could assist policymakers and health professionals find the best way forward.
Apart from NCDs and communicable diseases, other issues impacting Pacific people including diets, sexual health and health systems will also be discussed.
Data from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomons, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and cross-country studies will be presented. Research findings will be discussed with the audience, who are drawn from academia institutions, ministries of health and non-governmental-organisations from across the region.