Cook Islands Millennium Development Goals National Report 2005 : strengthening the development of the Cook Islands

Abstract

The Cook Islands has already achieved the targeted two third reduction of under 5 year olds mortality rate from 26 per 1000 live births in 1991 to 7.7 in 2001. The infant mortality rate dropped from 31.3 infants per 1000 live births in 1991 to 9.8 in 2001.Whilst the maternal health indicators for Cook Islands women were rated amongst the best in the region, there remain some worrying statistics. Teenage pregnancies had been on the increase in the past with a quarter of childbearing women reportedly having children during their teenage years. In general, key health issues affecting mothers and women include the relatively high incidences of cervical and breast cancers, and increasing prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, circulatory illnesses and their complications resulting from changing lifestyles of the Cook Islands population. NCD’s are now the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the adult Cook Islands population.There are no officially recorded cases of HIV/AIDS in the Cook Islands although there are 2 resident HIV/AIDS cases (one male, one female) in the Cook Islands. Prevention and awareness raising programmes on the modes of transmission and risks of HIV/AIDS in the Cook Islands need to be maintained and further strengthened.