Insular Island Area Initiative

In an effort to strengthen health services throughout the Insular areas, USA Freedom Corps and the U.S. Department of the Interior are partnering together for a volunteer-driven “Insular Area Health Initiative.” This initiative mobilizes skilled volunteers such as doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals in service at hospitals and health-related nonprofits throughout the island territories and freely associated states.

These remote communities spread across hundreds of small beautiful islands in the Western Pacific and Caribbean are desirable destinations experiencing critical medical personnel shortages. Skilled health professionals can volunteer in the Insular areas and make a difference.

Background

The U.S. Department of the Interior has the administrative oversight of 4 of the 5 U.S. Territories (Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). In addition, Interior manages our Compact relationships with the three freely associated states (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau). Resources are limited in many of these remote island nations and territories, and access to quality health care is of particular concern on some islands.

For Volunteers

Find an Insular Area Health Opportunity (coming soon)

For Organizations

Recruit skilled volunteers to provide public health services through the USAFC Volunteer Network – the nation’s largest clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities and a free recruiting resource for service organizations.
    
Honor outstanding volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Additional Resources

Read the U.S. Department on the Interior Inspector General report (PDF) from 2008 that describes the status of healthcare in the island territories and freely associated states.