ISLEFACT 2026 REVIEW 2

 
The main focus of Review 2 is the provision of island health and long-term care. Arguably, this is the most important service that all island communities with self-governing responsibilities have to support.  However, it has ever-escalating costs to meet and resources to find. 
 
The Review looks at the strengths and opportunities as well as the weaknesses and threats of a number of islands around the world with developed economies.  It highlights the increasing demands on island healthcare services in the short and medium term as a result of ageing populations, health inflation, obesity-related diseases, and other issues such as the growing awareness of mental health challenges.  
 
Public expectations for ever-higher standards of health    service delivery and the quality of facilities have also got to be factored in. Additionally, while the majority of islands have introduced preventative health policies to combat the world obesity crisis, these policies to-date only appear to be marginally successful.