Trouble in Paradise
High schizophrenia rates among Pacific islanders raise cultural questions
The Micronesian islands that form the Republic of Palau, situated about 500 miles east of the Philippines, boast the sun-washed beaches and lush greenery of a tropical paradise. But behind the picture-postcard scenery lurks a disturbing mental-health mystery. For some reason, Palau has one of the highest rates of schizophrenia in the world.