Health in Nauru

Health in Nauru

Health in Nauru refers to the overall state of health and healthcare availability in the Pacific island nation of Nauru. The country faces significant challenges in terms of obesity, limited lifespan, and childhood health.

Demographics

In 2013, there were 366 live births in Nauru, with 193 males and 173 females. The average age of mothers at first birth in 2007 was 22.1 years. The fertility rate, which measures the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15-49, is 105. In 2011, 75 people died in Nauru. Cardiovascular disease (44%) and cancer (10%) were the primary causes of death in 2002. From 2007 to 2011, the birth rate was 27.2, nearly four times the death rate of 7.5. The estimated infant mortality rate in 2014 was 8.21 deaths per live births. The age structure of the population is dominated by the 15-64 age group (65.6%), while the population younger than 15 and older than 64 is relatively small (32.5% and 1.8% respectively). The median age is 21.5. The sex ratio of the population is 0.91 males per 1 female.

Obesity

Nauru has the highest obesity rate in the world, with 97% of men and 93% of women classified as obese. In 2011, the average body mass index (BMI) in Nauru was around 34.5, which is considered obese (30+). The main reason for this high obesity rate is the consumption of imported canned food from Western countries, as Nauru's land has lost most of its fertile soil due to excessive phosphate mining in the past.

Healthcare

Nauru has a universal healthcare system, which provides healthcare services to all citizens free of charge. The country has a hospital to cater to the healthcare needs of its population.