One Arctic - One Health

One Health takes a multidisciplinary approach to health risks and risk mitigation for humans, animals, plants and the environment, with the understanding that human health welfare is dependent on ecosystem health. The U.S. and Canada started the One Health project under the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) of the Arctic Council in 2015, Finland joined the project as a colead in 2017. This report is a summary of the Finnish activities and achievements in the One Arctic - One Health project during the Finnish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The main actions included the One Arctic - One Health conference in Oulu, establishment of the TremArctic network, and two published Systematic Review papers and two manuscripts. There were also joint sessions and presentations in scientific conferences, seminars and workshops, and joint meetings and collaboration with the other Arctic Council Working Groups, the University of the Arctic, other organisations, and scientific projects. The report concludes with some updated proposals for further work, based on previous works and reflecting progress over the past two years. The Finnish One Arctic - One Health team consisted of scientists from the University of Oulu, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), University of Helsinki and the Finnish Food Authority. This work was supported by the grant of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.Yhteisen terveyden (One Health) perusajatus on, että ihmisten, eläinten, kasvien ja ympäristön terveys on toisistaan riippuvaista, ainakin niin, että sairaassa ympäristössä ei ihminenkään voi olla hyvinvoiva. Yhdysvaltain johtaessa puhetta Arktisessa neuvostossa, USA ja Kanada aloittivat kestävän kehityksen työryhmän (SDWG) alaisuudessa One Health -hankkeen, jonka johtoon Suomi liittyi toimiessaan Arktisen neuvoston puheenjohtajana 2017-2019. Tämä raportti on yhteenveto Suomen toimista ja saavutuksista puheenjohtajakaudellaan. Tärkeimmät toimet olivat One Arctic - One Health -konferenssi Oulussa, TremArctic-verkoston toiminnan aloittaminen, kaksi julkaistua laajaa systemaattista katsausta ja kaksi käsikirjoitusta. Lisäksi Suomen työryhmä osallistui tieteellisiin konferensseihin, seminaareihin ja työpajoihin, sekä yhteisiin kokouksiin ja muuhun yhteistyöhön Arktisen neuvoston muiden työryhmien kanssa. Raportti sisältää myös päivitettyjä jatkotoimenpide-ehdotuksia, jotka perustuvat aikaisempaan työhön ja viimeisten kahden vuoden aikana tapahtuneeseen kehitykseen. Suomen Yksi Arktis – yhteinen terveys -työryhmä koostui asiantuntijoista Oulun yliopistosta, Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitoksesta, Helsingin yliopistosta ja Ruokavirastosta. Hanketta rahoitti Suomen ulkoministeriö.Grundprincipen till One Health -tänkandet är att människohälsa, djurhälsa, planthälsa och ekosystemhälsa är nära besläktade. I alla fall så att människans välfärd kräver frisk natur. Under det amerikanska ordförandeskapet i Arktiska rådet inledde USA och Kanada One Health -projektet i regi av arbetsgruppen för hållbar utveckling (Sustainable Development Working Group, SDWG). Finland gick med i ledningen av projektet under Finland ordförandeskap 2017-2019. Denna rapport är en sammanfattning av finska åtgärder och resultat under Finlands ordförandeskap. De mest viktiga handlingarna var arrangerandet av One Arctic - One Health – konferensen i Uleåborg, startandet av TremArctic-nätverket, publiceringen av två systematiska litteraturöversikter och produceringen av två vetenskapliga manuskript. I tillägg deltog den finska arbetsgruppen i vetenskapliga konferenser, seminar och verkstäder med gemensamma sessioner och presentationer. Vidare hade man gemensamma möter samt annat samarbete med andra arbetsgrupper under Arktiska rådet. Rapporten innehåller också uppdaterade förslag till för ytterligare åtgärder baserade på tidigare arbeten och utvecklingen under Finland ordförandeskap. Finlands One Arctic – One Health - arbetsgrupp bestod av forskare från Uleåborgs universitet, Institutet för hälsa och välfärd, Helsingfors universitet, samt Livsmedelsverket. Projektet fick finansiering från det finska utrikesministeriet

Anastasia Emelyanova

publishedVersio

Exploring the future population and educational dynamics in the Arctic:2015 to 2050

Abstract The Arctic is a geographical space surrounding the North Pole. It encompasses dozens of sub-national entities north of eight Arctic countries: Russia, Canada, Denmark, the United States, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It is 20 million square kilometers land coverage settled with only 10 million people (2015). In the desire to learn more about the Arctic overall profile in population change, we aimed at producing cross-regional dataset covering all parts of the Arctic, and using it as a baseline for the cohort- component population projection. In this way, we model the future changes in the age, sex, and educational structure of sub-national populations, the latter reflecting the regional human capital. The projections are based on three alternative scenarios, taking into account regional characteristics (“Medium development”, “Arctic Boost”, and “Arctic Dip”). The results might be informative for those interested in the future dynamics of the Arctic population from 2015 forward to 2050

Cross-regional analysis of population aging in the Arctic

Abstract Despite the greater strategic importance and increasing activities in the Arctic as well as the increased attention paid by national governments, few attempts have been made to understand the on-going demographic changes from a pan-Arctic perspective. In particular, population aging or “silverization” is a demographic megatrend affecting regional societies and the economy which can exert profound social consequences in this most desolate and least populated region in the world. Although there are a few studies investigating aging in the Arctic countries, none have extended their research to the sub-national level. This thesis consists of an analysis of aging and possible rejuvenation trends in 23 Arctic sub-regions, and compares these trends to the national average of their eight respective countries. Two groups of indicators have been used to measure aging; these are based on “chronological” and “prospective” ages, the latter considers changes in life expectancy and improvements in population health. The study generated a large set of aging data for the period 1980/1990 to 2010 as well as the present day, utilizing the available baseline data. The discussion examined major trends in aging elucidating the interactions of conventional and prospective indicators, revealed the oldest and youngest territories, linkages between the Arctic and nationwide rates, the fastest and slowest regions that are aging (or in contrast, rejuvenating), sex and ethnic differences, and whether Northern Canada and Alaska, North Atlantic, Arctic Russia and Northern Fennoscandia are converging or diverging in terms of aging development. In addition, the interplay of causes of aging and other demographic conditions of Arctic territories was examined as well as the gaps in knowledge and prospects for future research. The international comparative evidence of the thesis can help the northern communities’ policy makers in planning changes that have to be made in order to adjust to an aging transition. It is clear that sustainable population development is the key to a viable Arctic region.Tiivistelmä Arktisella alueella tapahtuvaa väestörakenteen muutosta ja sen syitä on tutkittu vähän, vaikka alueen merkitys ja aktiviteetit ovat korostuneet valtioiden strategioissa. Erityisesti väestön ikääntyminen tai ”harmaantuminen” on yleinen demografinen suuntaus, joka vaikuttaa pohjoisten alueiden väestöön ja talouteen ja voi johtaa syvällisiin yhteiskunnallisiin seurauksiin tällä maailman harvaan asutuimmalla alueella. Ikääntymistä on tutkittu jonkin verran yksittäisissä maissa, mutta ei näiden maiden pohjoisissa osissa. Tässä väitöskirjatyössä analysoidaan ikääntymistä ja mahdollista nuorentumista kahdeksan arktisen maan 23 pohjoisella alueella ja näitä verrataan saman maan kansalliseen keskiarvoon. Ikääntymisen mittareina on käytetty kahta mittaustapaa perustuen joko ”kronologiseen” tai ”prospektiiviseen” ikään, joista jälkimmäinen huomioi muutokset odotettavissa olevassa eliniässä sekä väestön terveydentilan kohentumissa. Tutkimuksen tuloksena syntyi laaja ikääntymistä käsittelevä tietoaineisto vuosilta 1980/1990 vuoteen 2010/nykypäivään perustuen käytettävissä oleviin lähtöaineistoihin. Tässä työssä yksilöitiin ikääntymisen pääsuuntaukset ja vertailtiin perinteisten ja uusien indikaattoreiden tuottamia tuloksia. Lisäksi selvitettiin ikääntymisen kannalta väestöltään vanhimmat ja nuorimmat alueet, verraltiin arktisen alueen ja kansallisten lukujen välisiä yhteyksiä sekä esiteltiin nopeimmin ja hitaimmin ikääntyvät (tai nuorentuvat) alueet sekä sukupuoleen ja etnisyyteen liittyviä eroja. Tutkimus luo uutta tietoa Pohjois-Kanadan ja Alaskan, Pohjois-Atlantin alueen, Venäjän arktisen alueen sekä pohjoisen Fennoskandian väestöjen ikääntymiskehityksestä. Lisäksi väitöskirjatyö analysoi ikääntymiskehityksen ja muiden väestökehitykseen liittyvien olosuhteiden syitä arktisella alueella sekä tulevaisuuden tutkimustarpeita. Kansainvälinen vertailu voi auttaa valtioiden ja alueiden päättäjiä tekemään suunnitelmat, joilla pohjoiset yhteisöt voivat sopeutua ikääntymisen tuomiin haasteisiin. Kestävä väestökehitys on avain elinvoimaiseen arktiseen alueeseen

Population diversification in demographics, health, and living environments: the Barents Region in review

This paper provides updates on the geographical patterns in well-being of the population of the Barents region by applying indicators used in demography, public health, and environmental studies. In particular, we analyze recent demographic trends with regard to gender, age, ethnicity, and over time (1990−2015), considering depopulation, aging age structures, mortality and fertility patterns in connection with environmental changes. We investigate environmental effects on population health and living conditions of the Barents people, including the impact of air and water contamination, food insecurity, housing conditions, and new diseases driven by climate change. In addition, we highlight the importance of human capital (highest educational attainment of population) in tackling socio-economic challenges as well as adapting to climate and other sweeping changes occurring in the Barents region. Barents territories show inequalities in post-secondary educational attainment distribution between average nation-wide level and northern regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, based on the latest data available. The results and discussion suggest a significant variability across regions in the context of the studied parameters, except for life expectancy. The causes and consequences of the diversification of these trends need to be further investigated; as does the spatial distribution of societal well-being in the Barents region, an important geographical alliance in the northernmost part of Europe. The evidence presented in this review may help in the planning of adaptive community programs which respond to stresses in society, health, and the environment in the Barents region

Policy Initiatives on Healthy Ageing in Russia From 2010–2020

Abstract Background: A number of various policy strategies has been adopted in the last decade in response to population ageing in Russia. Governmental actions have yet to be evaluated in terms of their efficacy. By making a detailed overview of policy actions and relevant research, we are able to define successes and failures on the way to having a thriving and healthy older population. Aims: To analyse policy initiatives targeting healthy ageing in terms of both the entire population and the individuals thereof, and provide the overview for the most recent years of 2010–2020. Methods: The study has a theoretical nature. We undertake an analysis of available research litera ture and policy documents. In Section 2.2.1, we used a systematic literature review approach. Regarding the segment of the collection of literature discussed in the paper, a mixed approach was used retrieving online indexing services and additional searching in the Russian electronic library eLibrary.ru. Results: Main demographic documents and primary structural changes focus on the population decline, ageing, retirement, and overall population health. Research on healthy and active ageing in the Russian academic literature, and elaboration of the new strategies and programs designed specifically for the benefit of older people and their health, have been discussed, with special attention given to the mental health of older people. Conclusions: The initiatives mainly prioritise further increases in life expectancy, the quality of life of older persons, stimulating old-age productivity and active ageing. Many aspects require further improvement such as clear definitions, focused attention to geriatric care, better coordination of managing authorities, sustainable funding, and realistic expectations toward implementation indicators

Temporal trends of contaminants in Arctic human populations

Abstract The first Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) report was published in 1998 and followed by three assessment reports of human health (AMAP 2003, 2009 and 2015). The focus area of the AMAP reports was to monitor levels of environmental contaminants in the Arctic and to assess the health effects connected with detected levels in Arctic countries. This review gives an overview of temporal trends of contaminants and their health effects in humans of the Arctic based on data published by AMAP, as well as Russian scientific literature. Several time series of 31 contaminants in humans of the Arctic from different cohorts are reported. The lengths of time series and periods covered differ from each other. International restrictions have decreased the levels of most persistent organic pollutants in humans and food webs. Percentage changes for contaminants in human biological matrices (blood samples from children, mothers and males and breast milk samples) for the period of sampling showed declining trends in most of the monitored Arctic locations, with the exception of oxychlordane, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE153) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)

Caregiving of Older Persons during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Russian Arctic Province: Challenges and Practice

Older people and their families were particularly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but not much is known about the context of the Arctic regions of Russia. In this study, we identified the changes in family care before and during the pandemic using a questionnaire for the informal caregivers of older people. We investigated how and to what extent the pandemic has affected the relationships between caregiver and older person, and how the mental and physical health of older people and caregivers were affected by self-isolation in the Arkhangelsk region of Russia. The pandemic has changed the contribution of care from various actors: the share of care by charities, churches, and other aid agencies increased, while that of municipal services decreased. Sixteen percent of female and forty percent of male caregivers informed the study that COVID-19-related restrictions led to deterioration in the health of older people cared for at home. Family caregivers’ own health worsened, especially mental health: 28% of caregivers reported aggravated stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed various fears. Our data show that the main resources in overcoming the period of self-isolation have been telephone communication, personal contact, reading/music, friends, as well as the help of social services and maintaining a positive attitude