Observing the Changing Health of Circumpolar Peoples

This paper describes the elements involved in observing health in circumpolar regions, the status of current observation systems, and gaps within the monitoring networks. The aim is to provide a starting point for discussion of the role that health monitoring might play in developing Arctic observing networks and initiatives that aim to improve the health status of circumpolar populations. It is hoped that this background information will provide direction for further development of monitoring systems and networks through supporting data capture, analysis, and uptake.Cet article décrit les éléments qui entrent en jeu en matière d’observation de la santé dans les régions circumpolaires, de même que l’état des systèmes d’observation actuels et les écarts qui existent au sein des réseaux de surveillance. L’objectif consiste à fournir un point de départ pour une discussion sur le rôle que pourrait jouer la surveillance de la santé dans les initiatives et les réseaux mis en place dans l’Arctique dans le but d’améliorer l’état de santé des populations circumpolaires. On espère que ces renseignements généraux serviront de fondement à la mise au point d’autres systèmes et réseaux de surveillance grâce à la capture de données pertinentes, à leur analyse et à leur prise en charge.

Observing the Changing Health of Circumpolar Peoples

This paper describes the elements involved in observing health in circumpolar regions, the status of current observation systems, and gaps within the monitoring networks. The aim is to provide a starting point for discussion of the role that health monitoring might play in developing Arctic observing networks and initiatives that aim to improve the health status of circumpolar populations. It is hoped that this background information will provide direction for further development of monitoring systems and networks through supporting data capture, analysis, and uptake.Cet article décrit les éléments qui entrent en jeu en matière d’observation de la santé dans les régions circumpolaires, de même que l’état des systèmes d’observation actuels et les écarts qui existent au sein des réseaux de surveillance. L’objectif consiste à fournir un point de départ pour une discussion sur le rôle que pourrait jouer la surveillance de la santé dans les initiatives et les réseaux mis en place dans l’Arctique dans le but d’améliorer l’état de santé des populations circumpolaires. On espère que ces renseignements généraux serviront de fondement à la mise au point d’autres systèmes et réseaux de surveillance grâce à la capture de données pertinentes, à leur analyse et à leur prise en charge.

Contemporary Use of Traditional and Imported Food among Greenlandic Inuit

A health interview survey was carried out in Greenland in 1993-94 among randomly selected adult Inuit (N = 1580) to gather information about people's perceptions of their own health and living conditions. Questions about preference for and frequency of consumption of selected traditional and imported food items were included in the questionnaire. Preference ratings show that traditional food was well liked in all age groups, but especially by the elders. The questionnaire showed more pronounced differences between age groups in how frequently traditional foods were consumed. Residence in a village or a remote part of the country, male gender, and a trditional upbringing were also good predictors of a high consumption of traditional food. On average, seal meat was the most frequently consumed traditional food, eaten daily by 20% of respondents, followed by fish (17%), wildfowl (10%), whale meat (6%), and terrestrial animals (2%). Imported food items like potatoes, cheese, and fruit syrup were consumed daily by more than 70%. Two concerns for the future are the decreasing consumption of traditional food among the younger generations and the possible contribution of contaminants in traditional food to this trend.Une enquête par entrevue sur la santé a été menée au Groenland en 1993-1994 parmi des Inuits adultes (N = 1580) pris au hasard, afin de collecter de l'information sur la perception qu'avaient les gens de leur propre santé et de leurs conditions de de leur consommation. Les taux de préférence montrent que les aliments traditionnels étaient très appréciés dans tous les groupes d'âges, mais surtout par les aînés. Le questionnaire révélait des différences plus nettes entre les groupes d'âges quant à la fréquence à laquelle les aliments traditionnels étaient consommés. Le fait d'habiter un village ou une région reculée du pays, l'appartenance au sexe masculin et une éducation traditionnelle étaient également de bons paramètres de prévision d'une grande consommation d'aliments traditionnels. En moyenne, la viande de phoque était l'aliment traditionnel consommé le plus fréquemment, soit sur une base quotidienne par 20 p. cent des répondants, suivie par le poisson (17 p. cent), le gibier à plume (10 p. cent), la viande de baleine (6 p. cent) et les animaux terrestres (2 p. cent). Des aliments importés comme la pomme de terre, le fromage et le sirop de fruit étaient consommés sur une base quotidienne par plus de 70 p. cent des répondants. La diminution chez les jeunes générations de la consommation d'aliments traditionnels et la contribution possible à cette tendance de la présence de contaminants dans les aliments traditionnels constituent deux sujets de préoccupation

Fremtiden på museet

Kulturhistoriske museer har traditionelt legitimeret sig selv ved deres relation til historien. Ved at bevare historien og formidle den for et nutidigt publikum er museet det sted, der skaber en relation mellem fortiden og nutiden med alt, hvad det indebærer af konnotationer til identitet, tradition m.v. Men kunne museet også være et sted, hvor vi beskæftiger os med fremtiden? Med baggrund i nyere teori om materielle genstandes effekter argumenterer artiklen for, at museet, ved at åbne op for nye potentialer i dets samlinger, kan blive et eksperimentarium, hvor vi arbejder med at udvikle nye mønstre – både for det sociale og for den faglige teoriudvikling. Dette kræver dog, at museet accepterer ikke blot at formidle etableret viden, men vover at kaste sig ud i eksperimenter, der har en ufærdig form og inddrager publikum som reelle diskussionspartnere. Peter Bjerregaard: The Future at the Museum Social science museums have conventionally been legitimized through their relation to history. Preserving our cultural heritage and presenting this to a contemporary audience, the museum has been the link between the past and the present – with all the connotations to identity, tradition etc. that it entails. But could the museum also be a place to engage with the future? Based in recent theory on the effect of material artefacts, it is argued that by opening up for new potentials in the collections, the museum can turn into an experimentarium, where new patterns are developed – both in terms of social life in general and in the development of theory. In order to do so, the museum has not only to accept present established knowledge but will include audiences as participants in the development of new theoretical insights. Keywords: Museums, materiality, effect, future, exhibition, democratic spaces

Accentuation of suicides but not homicides with rising latitudes of Greenland in the sunny months

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Seasonal variation in suicides has been shown in many countries. We assessed the seasonality and the variation with latitude in suicides and homicides, and the impact of alcohol on the seasonality in suicides.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Official computerized registers on causes of death in all Greenland during 1968–2002 were used. Sales data on beer from one of the major food store chains for July 2005–June 2006 were examined. Seasonal variation was assessed by Rayleigh's test for circular distributions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were a total of 1351 suicides and 308 homicides. The suicides rate varied from 4.2/100 000 person-years in 1971 to 128.4/100 000 person-years in 1987. The homicide rate varied from 2.1/100000 person-years in 1969–1970 to 34.8/100 000 person-years in 1988. Out of the 1351 suicides, 80.5% were committed by men and 19.5% by women. Median age was 25 years (n = 1351; Range 11–84 years). Violent methods of suicide were used in 95% of all cases (n = 1286). Out of the 308 homicide victims, 61% were men and 39% were women, and 13% were killed in multiple homicide events.</p> <p>There was a significant seasonal variation with peaks in June and troughs in the winter in all suicide cases (n = 1351, r = 0.07; Z = 7.58, p < 0.001), in violent suicides (n = 1286; r = 0.07; Z = 6.97; p < 0,001), in suicides in men (n = 1087; r = 0.07; Z = 5.39; p < 0.002) , and in women (n = 264; r = 0.10; Z = 2.36; p < 0.05), but not in homicides nor in consumption of beer. There was a bi-phasic seasonal variation in suicide victims where an alcohol-related condition was included in the death certificate</p> <p>Suicides were more concentrated in the summer months north of the Arctic Circle (n = 577, r = 0.09, Z = 4.45, p < 0.01) than south of it (n = 769, r = 0.07, Z = 3.76, p < 0.002) and most concentrated in North Greenland (n = 33; r = 0.35; Z = 4.11; p < 0.01), where 48% of suicides occurred during the period of constant light. When including astronomical twilight in the constant light period 82% occurred during this time.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was a concentration of suicides but not homicides in the summer months in all Greenland. The concentration was most pronounced at high latitudes.</p