History of the Pacific Emergency Health Initiative (PEHI)

At the February 2000 meeting of the Pacific Island Health Officers Association(PIHOA), the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention(CDC) proposed a regional strategy for the promotion of emergency environmental health in the Pacific. This CDC Pacific Emergency Health Initiative(PEHI) called for a proactive partnership of government institutions, international agencies, Pacific nations, the Pacific Basin Medical Association and PIHOA. The mission of PEHI is to "strengthen the capacity for emergency health preparedness and response among Pacific Island nations''.This article describes the history and development of PEHI and offers insight into future efforts.