Social Determinants of Health

In times past, the Pacific Islands were self sustaining systems with no man made materials present in the environment, and the communal social system ensuring the best chance of survival for the communities living on each island. The relatively recent influence of man made materials, processed food, technology, and influence of western and eastern cultures have both positively and negatively influenced the individual and overall health of the Pacific Islander communities. In our January community health education outreach, Sain Mamau introduced social determinants of health; describing the interconnectedness of the environment and health.

Family groups sat together on blankets at the park as the current health facts and statistics were shared with them. Faces plainly showed genuine concern mixed with sad understanding, and a heavy spirit pervaded with only the wind lifting the leaves of overhead trees.

Privately, the elder men and women described an environment where survival is daily fought for, worry for younger generations struggling with education is ever present, misunderstanding and rejection by the Hawaii community at large is consistently felt, and health for today let alone tomorrow, feels out of reach.

Over millennia, this Pacific Island group has been known as fierce warriors, superb navigators, and fearless explorers. Sain Mamu’s speaker and leader sought to empower through increased knowledge and a call to battle using cultural methods combined with present resources. Afterward, a few voices joined in with comments such as, “It is good for us to know this”, “you’re right, we need help with these things”, and “the Micronesian people are an independent people and very good fighters. We can do this”. These were a glimmer of a will to fight provoked by knowledge and hope.