3. The centinuation proportional to of the environmental radiation risk monitoring] involved andl should be information needed. 4. Once rapport has been established, additional edudation of the patient and family should be done both formally and Informally in order to separate fact from superstititon and misinformation in order that daily life may return to "normal" with rdgards to the radiation exposure as soon and smoothly as possitile. Also a general radiation educational program should be da@veloped that would impact all levels of society. C. Communicable Diseases Communicable diseases are present jin the Marshall Islands although less prevalent than in many developing nations because of factors of separate islands and atolls as well as the isolation other Tuberculosis and leprosy are present but not highly prevalent, and schistosomiasis are not present. reasons. While malaria Respiratory and influengaal illnesses primarily spread throughout an island after being introduced frém outside by the periodic visits of the field ships. With the advent of af travel and more frequent communication with people from other islands, the protective effect of isolation from disease will be reduced. are very common and highly communicable. Parasitic finfestations Their discussed in the section on environmental health. preventipn The sexually has been transmitted diseases are becoming more of a problem especially in the cfrowded urban centers. Their prevention, detection and appropriate treatment must be given high priority in the health care plan. Polio is present by a number of persons with residual paralysis. This problefl fas evidenced along with that of measles, whooping cough, tetanus, diptheria, and tubefculosis can all be prevented or greatly reduced by an effective immunizatipn program. D. Chronic Diseases The Marshallese people are currently in the transition fram the typical communicable disease/malnutrition complexes of developing cougtries to the chronic disease complexes of developed countries. In payticular, Micronesian people as a whole seem to be prone to the development and hypertension. the of diabetes Both of these diseases impact on the cardiovascular system and are undoubtedly responsible for the relatively high c mortality rate. 13 ebrovascular