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Neal A. Palafox, MD, MPH

palafox-nealNeal A. Palafox, MD, MPH
DFMCH Professor, Professor of Population Sciences in the Pacific Program at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, & B.H. and Alice C. Beams Endowed Professor of Cancer Research
Email: npalafox@hawaii.edu

Education
Undergraduate: Whitman College, BA
Graduate School: Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Hygiene, MPH
Medical School: University of Hawaiʻi, John A. Burns School of Medicine, MD
Residency Training: University of California Los Angeles Hospital and Clinics, Family Practice

Clinical & Academic Role

Medical Student Role
  • MS3 Clerkship Continuity Clinic Preceptor
  • Mentorship & Career Advising
Residency Role
  • Resident Continuity Clinic Preceptor

Research

Research Interests
  • Ciguatera Poisoning
  • Vitamin A Deficiency
  • Cross-Cultural Health
  • Cancer Epidemiology
  • Health Systems Development
  • Associate Researcher with the Medical Treatment Effectiveness Program (MEDTEP) in Hawaiʻi
Publications
  1. Sarfati D, Dyer R, Sam FA, et al. Cancer control in the Pacific: big challenges facing small island states. Lancet Oncol. 2019;20(9):e475‐e492. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30400-0
  2. Ekeroma A, Dyer R, Palafox N, et al. Cancer management in the Pacific region: a report on innovation and good practice. Lancet Oncol. 2019;20(9):e493‐e502. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30414-0
  3. Sarfati D, Dyer R, Vivili P, et al. Cancer control in small island nations: from local challenges to global action. Lancet Oncol. 2019;20(9):e535‐e548. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30511-X
  4. Palafox NA, Given L, Hohman K, et al. Comprehensive cancer control planning in the Pacific: the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands a multi-national regional coalition. Cancer Causes Control. 2018;29(12):1287‐1295. doi:10.1007/s10552-018-1115-z
  5. Palafox NA. University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Connection: University of Hawai’i Cancer Center: Collaboration Through Partnerships in Hawai’i and the Pacific. Hawaiʻi J Health Soc Welf. 2019;78(12):375‐376.
  6. Foliaki S, Bates C, Tukana I, Palafox NA. Cancer control in the Pacific: A South Pacific collaborative approach. Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;50(Pt B):193‐198. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.06.001
  7. Palafox NA, Reichhardt M, Taitano JR, et al. A Socio-Ecological Framework for Cancer Control in the Pacific: A Community Case Study of the US Affiliated Pacific Island Jurisdictions 1997-2017. Front Public Health. 2018;6:313. Published 2018 Nov 13. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00313
  8. Vinson C, La Porta M, Todd W, Palafox NA, Wilson KM, Fairley T. Research and comprehensive cancer control coalitions. Cancer Causes Control. 2010;21(12):2033‐2040. doi:10.1007/s10552-010-9667-6
  9. Palafox N. The health and wellbeing of the Pacific indigenous peoples. Hawaiʻi Med J. 2011;70(11 Suppl 2):3.
  10. Anderson I, Crengle S, Kamaka ML, Chen TH, Palafox N, Jackson-Pulver L. Indigenous health in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. Lancet. 2006;367(9524):1775‐1785. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68773-4
  11. Palafox NA, Yamada S, Ou AC, Minami JS, Johnson DB, Katz AR. Cancer in Micronesia. Pac Health Dialog. 2004;11(2):78‐83.
  12. Nitta M, Navasca D, Tareg A, Palafox NA. Cancer risk reduction in the US Affiliated Pacific Islands: Utilizing a novel policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approach. Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;50(Pt B):278‐282. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.08.008
  13. Palafox NA. Health consequences of the Pacific U.S. Nuclear Weapons Testing Program in the Marshall Islands: inequity in protection, health care access, policy, regulation. Rev Environ Health. 2010;25(1):81‐85. doi:10.1515/reveh.2010.25.1.81
  14. Nitta M, Tanner C, Narvarte K, et al. Policy, System, and Environment Strategies to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Food Sources to Address Guam’s Disparate Non-Communicable Disease Burden. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2015;26(2 Suppl):96‐103. doi:10.1353/hpu.2015.0057
  15. Paulino YC, Hurwitz EL, Ogo JC, et al. Epidemiology of areca (betel) nut use in the mariana islands: Findings from the University of Guam/University of Hawaiʻi cancer center partnership program. Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;50(Pt B):241‐246. doi:10.1016/j.canep.2017.08.006
  16. Tice AD, Bannan M, Bauman K, et al. Viral hepatitis in Hawai’i–differing perspectives. Hawaiʻi Med J. 2010;69(4 Suppl 1):3‐20.
  17. Paulino YC, Hurwitz EL, Warnakulasuriya S, et al. Screening for oral potentially malignant disorders among areca (betel) nut chewers in Guam and Saipan. BMC Oral Health. 2014;14:151. Published 2014 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/1472-6831-14-151
  18. Ou AC, Kienene T, Tenaua K, Etheredge GD, Palafox NA. Epidemiology of cancer in the Republic of Kiribati. Pac Health Dialog. 2004;11(2):88‐93.
  19. Palafox NA, Hixon AL. Health consequences of disparity: the US Affiliated Pacific Islands. Australas Psychiatry. 2011;19 Suppl 1:S84‐S89. doi:10.3109/10398562.2011.583072
  20. Riklon S, Alik W, Hixon A, Palafox NA. The “compact impact” in Hawaiʻi: focus on health care. Hawaiʻi Med J. 2010;69(6 Suppl 3):7‐12.
  21. Palafox NA, Gunawardane K, Demei Y. Pacific island partnership: the Pacific Cancer Initiative. J Cancer Educ. 2006;21(1 Suppl):S87‐S90. doi:10.1207/s15430154jce2101s_15
  22. Palafox NA, Tsark J’. Cancer in the US Associated Pacific Islands (UASPI): history and participatory development. Pac Health Dialog. 2004;11(2):8‐13.
  23. Buenconsejo-Lum L, Wong VS, Palafox NA. Comprehensive cancer control in the U.S. Associated Pacific Island Nations. Hawaiʻi Med J. 2006;65(11):324‐325.
  24. Palafox NA, Buenconsejo-Lum L, Riklon S, Waitzfelder B. Improving health outcomes in diverse populations: competency in cross-cultural research with indigenous Pacific islander populations. Ethn Health. 2002;7(4):279‐285. doi:10.1080/1355785022000060736
  25. Palafox NA, Riklon S, Alik W, Hixon AL. Health consequences and health systems response to the Pacific U.S. Nuclear Weapons Testing Program. Pac Health Dialog. 2007;14(1):170‐178.
  26. Gittelsohn J, Dyckman W, Frick KD, et al. A pilot food store intervention in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Pac Health Dialog. 2007;14(2):43‐53.
  27. Gamble MV, Palafox NA, Dancheck B, Ricks MO, Briand K, Semba RD. Carotenoid status among preschool children with vitamin A deficiency in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(4):336‐340.
  28. Palafox NA, Gamble MV, Dancheck B, Ricks MO, Briand K, Semba RD. Vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency, and anemia among preschool children in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Nutrition. 2003;19(5):405‐408. doi:10.1016/s0899-9007(02)01104-8
  29. Maqsood M, Dancheck B, Gamble MV, et al. Vitamin A deficiency and inflammatory markers among preschool children in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Nutr J. 2004;3:21. Published 2004 Dec 8. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-3-21
  30. Gittelsohn J, Dyckman W, Tan ML, et al. Development and implementation of a food store-based intervention to improve diet in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Health Promot Pract. 2006;7(4):396‐405. doi:10.1177/1524839905278620
  31. Katz AR, Palafox NA, Johnson DB, Yamada S, Ou AC, Minami JS. Cancer epidemiology in the freely associated U.S. Pacific Island jurisdictions: challenges and methodologic issues. Pac Health Dialog. 2004;11(2):84‐87.
  32. Buenconsejo-Lum LE, Maskarinec GG, Palafox NA. Pacific Association for Clinical Training (PACT): lessons learned and next steps in developing a sustainable continuing health professionals education system in the United States-Affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) jurisdictions. Pac Health Dialog. 2007;14(1):224‐233.
  33. Chen TH, Ou AC, Haberle H, Miller VP, Langidrik JR, Palafox NA. Smoking rates and risk factors among youth in the Republic of the Marshall Islands: results of a school survey. Pac Health Dialog. 2004;11(2):107‐113.
  34. Gittelsohn J, Haberle H, Vastine AE, Dyckman W, Palafox NA. Macro- and microlevel processes affect food choice and nutritional status in the republic of the marshall islands. J Nutr. 2003;133(1):310S‐313S. doi:10.1093/jn/133.1.310S
  35. Chen TH, Buenconsejo-Lum LE, Palafox NA. Pacific basin health worker training in the United States-Affiliated Pacific Islands: needs assessment and priorities for a continuing health care professional development program: executive summary. Pac Health Dialog. 2007;14(1):15‐21.
  36. Ou AC, Waidubu G, Etheredge GD, Palafox NA. Epidemiology of cancer in the Republic of Nauru. Pac Health Dialog. 2004;11(2):101‐106.
  37. Leon Guerrero RT, Palafox NA, Hattori-Uchima MP, Robinett HR, Vogel CW. Addressing Cancer Health Disparities in the Pacific Peoples of Hawai’i, Guam, and the US Associated Pacific Islands Through Pacific-Focused Research Capacity Building. JCO Glob Oncol. 2020;6:155‐160. doi:10.1200/GO.19.00213
  38. Dever G, Finau SA, McCormick R, et al. In-country and community-based postgraduate family practice training for Micronesian physicians–the Palau AHEC: a collaborative effort. Pac Health Dialog. 2002;9(1):141‐145.
  39. Palafox NA. Medical Effectiveness Studies in the American Associated Pacific Island Nations: Cultural, Ethical, and Practical Considerations. Asian Am Pac Isl J Health. 1996;4(1-3):105‐111.
  40. Shomaker TS, Easa D, Harrigan R, et al. Excellence in research and education at the John A. Burns School of Medicine: a tribute to Edwin Cadman’s vision. Hawaiʻi Med J. 2005;64(10):263‐269.
  41. Sy AU, Heckert KA, Buenconsejo-Lum L, Hedson J, Tamang S, Palafox N. An assessment of the Pacific Regional Cancer Coalition: outcomes and implications of a regional coalition internal and external assessment. Hawaiʻi Med J. 2011;70(11 Suppl 2):47‐53.
  42. Palafox NA, Minami JS. Cancer in the U.S. Associated Pacific Countries: Cultural Considerations. Asian Am Pac Isl J Health. 1998;6(2):401‐404.
  43. Palafox NA, Yamada S. The Health Predicament of The U.S.­Associated Pacific Islands: What Role for Primary Health Care?. Asian Am Pac Isl J Health. 1997;5(1):48‐56.
Other Interests
  • Tennis
  • Windsurfing
  • Free diving
Prior Experience
  • Lived and worked in Republic of the Marshall Islands for 9 years
  • Prior Chair of DFMCH
  • Prior University of Hawaiʻi Family Medicine Residency Program Director