Pacific Island Health Officers Association

12/19/2025

🎄✨ From the PIHOA health leadership and Secretariat, wishing everyone a very merry and blessed Holiday Season, a time for family, rest, healing, rejuvenation, companionship, and fellowship. Our prayers are with you in this time of joy and for a successful and bountiful New Year. Thank you for your commitment, compassion, and all that you do to improve the health and well-being of our island communities.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 🎁🎆

🎅🏽 Holiday Office Closure: PIHOA’s Honolulu and Guam offices will be closed from December 22, 2025–January 2, 2026. We look forward to reconnecting when normal operations resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.

12/18/2025

From December 10-12, 2025, 30 USAPI health workforce development professionals and 20 regional partners convened in Guam to launch the USAPI Regional Health Workforce Development Technical Working Group (TWG).

The meeting opened with an inspiring keynote from Theresa Arriola, Director of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services and Interim PIHOA Board President, encouraging participants to dream big, persevere, and build the political will needed to address long-standing health workforce shortages.

Over three days, jurisdictions shared successes, challenges, and opportunities, while collaboratively shaping the TWG’s membership, purpose, and initial work streams.

Next steps:
-Convening jurisdiction-specific workforce development TWGs
-Advancing jurisdictional and defining regional priorities
-Providing updates to the PIHOA Board in Honolulu this April

Together, we’re strengthening the foundation of the USAPI health workforce—now and for the future. 💪🏽🌺

12/10/2025

⭐️ Join Us for the Next Meet the Expert Session!

🎁 Topic: Navigating Holiday Stress

The holiday season can be both uplifting and overwhelming, making emotional well-being an important focus for individuals, families, and communities across the Pacific. Together, we’ll explore simple approaches to create more balance and ease during this busy time of year.

📅 Date:
December 12, 2025 | 10am – 11am (CHST)
December 11, 2025 | 2pm – 3pm (HST)
(see time zone conversions below)

Featuring: Lamarr Lewis

🔗 Zoom Meeting ID: 951 5896 2991
🔑 Passcode: PPHFP

🕒 Time Zones:
🇬🇺 Guam / 🇫🇲 Chuuk / 🇫🇲 Yap – 10AM
🇵🇼 Palau – 9AM
🇫🇲 Pohnpei / 🇫🇲 Kosrae – 11AM
🇲🇭 Republic of the Marshall Islands – 12PM
🇦🇸 American Samoa – December 12, 1PM

12/02/2025

📢 New research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention highlights a promising advance for cancer screening in Pacific communities. The pilot study from American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition used an AI/ML model to identify individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer in American Samoa — a step that could help improve early detection in resource-limited and culturally diverse populations.

This research underscores why increasing access to culturally responsive screening and follow-up care matters now more than ever. ✨

🔗 Read the full article here:

Objective: This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of using an artificial Intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) model to predict colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in American Samoa, where resource limitations and cultural barriers significantly hinder screening efforts. Methods: The AI/ML mo...

12/01/2025

In response to the rising dengue outbreak, the American Samoa Department of Health, with technical support from PIHOA and partners, has rapidly expanded Targeted Residual Spraying (TRS)operations — a highly effective intervention designed to suppress Aedes mosquitoes and disrupt ongoing transmission. 🚫🦟

TRS creates a long-lasting protective barrier on surfaces where mosquitoes rest, providing communities with extended protection far beyond traditional fogging methods.

✨ Highlights include:
🛡️ Long-lasting surface protection (up to 6 months)
🎯 Targeting indoor & shaded mosquito resting sites
📉 Reducing mosquito lifespan and dengue transmission potential
⚖️ Minimizing unnecessary chemical use through focused spraying
👥 Capacity-building for DOH Environmental Health teams on safe application, monitoring & QA/QC
📦 Supporting DOH with dengue test kits, PPE, repellents, and response supplies

American Samoa’s unique housing structures and mosquito behaviors make TRS a critical tool in interrupting transmission and protecting high-risk households, schools, workplaces, clinics, and community spaces.

Fa'afetai lava to all partners supporting this urgent public health response and helping strengthen community protection across the territory. 💪🏾🌺

🔗 Read the full e-blast here: https://conta.cc/4izXs8K

🤝🏾 American Samoa Department of Health, ASDOH Environmental Health Services Division

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release December 1, 2025 American Samoa's Successful Dengue Outbreak Response Utilizing Advanced Targeted Residual Spraying

11/28/2025

📬 77th PIHOA EBM E-Blast Series - We’re continuing our recap with Part 3, highlighting how strong partnerships and regional collaboration are driving progress in Pacific health. 🌺🌏

This edition focuses on key sessions from Day 4, where PIHOA leadership engaged with Pacific regional partners, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations to advance shared public health priorities across the USAPIs.

✨ Highlights include:
🤝 Strengthening long-standing partnerships to support regional health priorities
🧭 Strategic reflections on PIHOA’s 40 years of advocacy, leadership, and mission impact
👥 PHWINS workforce insights from the de Beaumont Foundation
🎓 PPHFP evaluation findings showcasing its impact on early-career public health professionals
🌐 ASTHO (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials) 2026 strategic planning to elevate USAPI needs at the federal level
💙 National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) updates on shifting national priorities for chronic disease programming
🩺 John A. Burns School of Medicine, Yap State Department of Health Services & (Pacific Cancer Programs) progress toward cervical cancer elimination — with Yap on track for 2030
🧪 GSSH’s regional assessment on LIS/LDX strengthening to improve surveillance and data systems

Across every discussion, one message was clear: Partnerships are essential to building resilient health systems in the Pacific. PIHOA’s continued collaboration with academic, nonprofit, regional, and international partners remains core to its mission of improving health, strengthening systems, and ensuring a healthier future for Pacific communities.

🔗 Read the full E-Blast here: https://conta.cc/3XllbzR

🤝🏾 RMI Ministry of Health and Human services

11/26/2025

We’re proud to highlight Ms. Ana V. Koliniwai of the RMI Ministry of Health and Human services, who recently presented her operational research at the 2nd SAFETYNET Scientific Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ✨

Her study on C-section delivery practices at Ebeye Hospital showcased key findings, progress, and opportunities to strengthen maternal and neonatal care in the Marshall Islands.

Ana also connected with field epidemiologists and public health professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region, gaining valuable insights to inform future work. 🌏

As a participant in PIHOA’s Strengthening Health Interventions in the Pacific (SHIP) Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Epidemiology (PGDAE) program, Ana’s work reflects the program’s mission to build skilled, data-driven public health leaders across the Pacific. Her research and presentation are meaningful examples of how SHIP participants apply their training to improve health service delivery in their home jurisdictions. 📊🌺

👏 Congratulations to Ms. Koliniwai on this incredible achievement and for representing the Pacific on the international stage!

🔗 Read the full PIHOA E-Blast: https://conta.cc/4onhynL

🤝🏾 RMI Ministry of Health and Human services

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release November 26, 2025 RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services', Ana Koliniwai, Presents Her Research at the 2nd Safet

11/26/2025

🌱🇵🇼 Palau’s fields bring the Healthy Islands vision to life

The World Health Organization shares an inspiring story from Palau, where farmers like Jauna are revitalizing traditional agriculture — growing taro, banana, dragon fruit, and local vegetables to strengthen food security, community health, and resilience.

In the face of climate change, soil degradation, and rising reliance on imported foods, Palau’s renewed farm-to-table efforts highlight the power of local food systems and the Healthy Islands vision: when communities stay connected to land and culture, health outcomes improve.

🔗 Read the full story:

At the edge of a sun-drenched taro patch, Jauna Rengulbai methodically tills the soil, careful to mix but not disturb the roots. Her crops – taro, dragon fruit, banana, and various vegetables – demand attention. Soil degradation has resulted in farm fields like Jauna’s becoming less suitable f...

11/25/2025

🦟 Yap Strengthens Dengue Outbreak Readiness
PIHOA recently completed a weeklong Dengue Early Warning System (EWS) Outbreak Readiness and Response Training in Colonia, Yap State. Fourteen participants from Yap DHS and EPA received hands-on instruction in vector surveillance, updated SOPs, and early action strategies to better detect and respond to dengue risks.

✨ Highlights include:
🧠 Strengthening data-driven decision making
🗂️ Updating 14 vector management SOPs
🧴 Training on pesticide application for outbreak response
🦟 Field exercises on mosquito surveillance and household inspections
🌍 Enhanced community engagement for source reduction

🔗 Read the full PIHOA E-Blast: https://conta.cc/48kmOmm

Kammagar to Yap DHS leadership, staff, and partners for their commitment to protecting community health and advancing outbreak preparedness across the islands. 🌺

🤝🏾 Yap State Department of Health Services

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release November 25, 2025 Yap State Completes Dengue Early Warning System Outbreak Readiness and Response Training Colonia,

11/25/2025

📎 Article: Guam Wins National Award for Modernizing Medicaid IT Systems Guam’s Department of Public Health & Social Services was recognized with the 2025 NAMD Spotlight Award for its innovative tri-territory collaboration to modernize Medicaid IT systems and improve access to care for island communities. 🌺🩺

🔗 Read the full article: https://medicaiddirectors.org/news/guam-wins-national-award-for-innovative-collaboration-to-modernize-medicaid-it-systems-operations/

👏🏾 Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services

The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) today announced that Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services has been awarded the 2025 Spotlight Award for their innovative tri-state and territorial collaboration to modernize its Medicaid IT system that is reshaping health care...

11/24/2025

📬 77th PIHOA EBM E-Blast Series
We are continuing our 77th PIHOA EBM recap series with Part 2, highlighting a meaningful and productive week with Pacific health leaders.

This second e-blast features a deep dive into the Board’s strategic planning sessions, including:

🧭 Collaborative development of PIHOA’s updated vision, mission, and organizational values
🤝 Guided discussions aligning regional health priorities for the next 40 years
📊 Identification of system-strengthening needs across the USAPIs
💬 Facilitated reflections on PIHOA’s evolving role as the region’s key coordinating body
🌺 A shared commitment to culture, partnership, and community-centered health planning

➡️ “77th PIHOA Executive Board Meeting Recap, Part 2: PIHOA Leadership Embark on Setting a Vision and Mission for Regional Health Priorities for the Next 40 Years.” This recap highlights the intentional, forward-looking work shaping the region’s long-term health strategies.

🔗 Read the full e-blast here: https://conta.cc/48lkCuU
📌 Stay tuned for Part 3 of the series
🤝 RMI Ministry of Health and Human services

Email from Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) For Immediate Release November 24, 2025 The 77th PIHOA Executive Board Meeting Recap, Part 2: PIHOA Leadership Embark on Setting a Vision

11/24/2025

🔗 WHO Feature Story

🇫🇲 FSM is strengthening its emergency preparedness through a WHO-led risk-profiling and surge workforce exercise. The five-day workshop brought together partners to identify hazards, boost coordination, and build capacity for future responses.

📖 Read more:

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), hosted a five-day national workshop aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness for health emergencies. The event included a three-day exercise to develop FSM’s national emergency risk prof...