HEALTH STUDIES IN PACIFIC ISLANDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5298, 10 January 1947, Page 2

HEALTH STUDIES IN PACIFIC ISLANDS

incidence of dental decay among natives From natives of Pacific island? the United States Navy hopes to fino new clues to the prevention of tooth decay. The research into dental caries i> one of the projects planned at the new Guam Navy Medical Centie recentlv developed as a major plai ?o improve the health of 100,000 natives on 57 populated islands o^cupied by the United States in the Pacific war. The principal work of the centre will be to train native doctors, nursee and technicians for the islanders. but research on numerous problemi is either planned or under way said Dr. Yictor G. Heiser, a yvell-known authority on tropical diseases whc helped to establish the centre.

On some of the islands, Dr. Heisei explained, almost all the natives havc nearly perfect teeth. On others, dental decay is widespread. Presumahlyhe said, diet or drinking water accounts for the difference. If the reaso nc-an he determined the findings might be applied in the United States and elsewhere. The Guam centre has established a school ^lving a four-year medical course for native medical practitioners, a training school for native nurses, and a third school to train native technicians, as laboratory assis- ' tants. Thirty-seven native doctors now are attending the medical school. This trained personnel will be sent out to varioUs islands to direct measures for improving native Health. Years ago Dr. Heiser established a similar course in the Fiji islands, and native doctors largely were responsible for marked improvement in the health of" Polynesian natives. The Guam centre also is giviiig a post-graduate course for regular navy doctors on tropical diseases and problems peculiar to the area and the navy has established b niedical research laboratory which is specialising in tropical diseases, including leprosy, although it is rare in the islands.