GUAM
WHO Country Cooperation Strategy
2018–2022
OVERVIEW
Guam is an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States of America in the
western Pacific Ocean. Guam has an estimated population of 162 000 spread across 19 villages.
The majority of people live in the northern part of the island. Guam is one of five Pacific
island jurisdictions of the United States of America with a civilian government and a governor
elected by popular vote. Guam’s economy is forecasted to continue a moderate expansionary
trend, driven by military-related activities, tourism, construction, trans-shipment services,
food processing and textiles.
HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Public Health and Social Services is responsible for public health policies.
Guam Memorial Hospital, which is located in the village of Tamuning, provides a broad
range of health-care services to residents and people from neighbouring islands, such as the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. The
United States Naval Hospital Guam provides health services primarily to military personnel,
but also provides voluntary community services to the civilian community. The Guam Regional
Medical City, a private hospital, started its service in 2015 in the north of Guam. Non communicable diseases (NCDs) and communicable diseases were identified as important
health challenges in the Guam community health assessment in 2014. The rate of NCDs
continues to increase. In 2014, around half of deaths in Guam were attributed to heart disease
(31%) and cancers (18%) such as lung and cervical cancer. However, fewer people are opting for
cancer screening. Many people suffer from heart disease or are living with diabetes. Tobacco
use is a major risk factor for these NCDs. Incidence of tuberculosis (TB) also remains high.
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