Relations between health levels, services and demand in French Polynesia

Abstract

During the course of the last 30 years, the pathological landscape of French Polynesia has undergone major changes. All health indicators attest to the fact that the overall level of health has improved. A sickness regime typical of a developed country now coexists with a pathology of a less developed country. The latter remains a matter of concern. There is a general health over-servicing in French Polynesia, but especially Tahiti itself contrasts with the modest means of the surrounding islands. For example 91% of private doctors in French Polynesia practice in Tahiti's city area. Medical utilization has been risen with the level of services offered more than pro rata to population increase. This is a consequence of the sudden development of a modern lifestyle in a marginal territory. Examples make clear that medical facility coverage is widespread and that a system of free public health care has been developed both among the population of Tahiti and also of the surrounding islands.