Published: 17 January 2015
Authors: Tukuitonga, C.
Read online: Pacific Island health: Causes of poor health.
Health is affected by the interaction between personal and environmental factors. Environmental influences include physical, socio-economic, cultural and political factors as well as the availability of health services. It is generally accepted that the socio-economic factors – especially education and income – are the most important determinant of population health status. Poor people with limited education generally have poor health.