Environmental health education in Micronesia

Water supply and sanitation programmes in Micronesia require substantial capital investments. In the past, many of these projects have failed to achieve their maximum impact on preventing water-related diseases. Cases of cholera and the continuation of frequently occurring gastro-intestinal diseases undermine the expectations that new and planned water and sanitation systems will result in disease prevention. This report indicates that knowledge of water-related diseases and the understanding of the benefits of safe water supply and sanitation are limited as programmes in Micronesia that would educate the different sectors of the community have never been institutionalised. We have developed the first comprehensive system for teaching about water supply, sanitation and health in a Micronesian environment. The educational materials will be used as curricula in public education and as information resources for appropriate individuals in these remote and scattered communities of the Pacific.