The key data items to note are: a) 47.7% of the total population are under 15
years of age (59% under 20 years of age), b) only 8.6% of the population are
over 55 years of age, and c) 74.1% of all females are under 30 years of age.
These
data
pregnant women,
show
that
children,
the main
target
groups
and young
people.
for
The
health
biological
(fecundity) of this young population is also highly apparent.
care
are
potential
Though it
would seem that health care problems of the elderly would be minor, it is
not quite the case here as in many developing countries because of the much
higher than normal incidences of specific chronic diseases i.e. diabetes and
hypertension (discussed later).
Other
key vital
statistics for the Marshall
Islands
in 1976
are
Summarized below (Source: TTPI Five Year Comprehensive Health Plan, April 1,
1980)
Crude birth rate
31.1
Crude death rate
4.2
Infant mortality rate = 17. 9 *
Maternal mortality rate = 27.0 (1974-1976)
R. Natural Increase = 26.9
*Infant mortality would probably be in the upper 20's to low 30's if
there were better reporting.
Also a child is historically considered a
_ live birth only after his first birthday.
In general the Marshall Islands do not compare badly with many developing
countries in “infant mortality" yet it still is significant.
natural
increase"
is
quite
planning are obvious.
considerably.
is
though.
The
implications
for
family
Unfortunately the level of family planning services
delivered has been low.
among males
high
The "rate of
low to
Perception of need for family planning services
non-existent,
though
women's
perceptions
differ
The need for better integration of family planning into
ongoing maternal and child health services needs to be done, as well as the
development of a concerted culturally sensitive educational campaign.
The
geographical
distribution
of
the
population
demographic factor to consider in health care delivery.
is
also
a
key
(See Table 3) In
1977 it was estimated that 57% of the total population resided either in the
“district center" (Majuro - 10,087 or 39%) or in the “subdistrict center"
(Ebeye - 18% or 4,577).
Arno atoll classifies as an “intermediate zone”,
and had 1,199 inhabitants or 5% of the population (it lies just 35 miles by
water from Majuro); while the remainder of the atolls or “outer islands"
contained 38% of the population or a total of 9,594.
The map on the next
page gives the last known totals of inhabitants by atoll as well as water
distances from Majuro.
3