About the AHHI

What is the AHHI?
Health concerns of the Arctic people
AHHI's featured areas of research
What are the goals of the AHHI?
How will AHHI meet their goals?
Who is coordinating AHHI?

What is the Arctic Human Health Initiative?

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AHHI proposal (39 KB,

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The Arctic Human Health Initiative (AHHI) is an Arctic Council IPY coordinating project. It will highlight human health concerns of the Arctic people.

AHHI’s goal is to build on existing Arctic Council and International Union for Circumpolar Health human health research. To do so, AHHI will expand research networks that will enhance:

Surveillance and monitoring of health issues of concern to Arctic peoples,
Standardization of methods between countries, and
Collaboration and coordination of research activities.

What are the human health concerns of arctic peoples?

Significant health disparities still remain between indigenous and non-indigenous populations in the Arctic. Indigenous Arctic populations experience:

lower life expectancy
higher infant mortality
higher rates of suicide
higher rates of infectious diseases
higher rates of some cancers

Other health concerns of the Arctic people include the impact of environmental contaminants and climate change on both their health and their environment.

What research areas will AHHI feature?

AHHI will feature research activities that focus on the health impacts of:

Anthropogenic pollution,
Modernization and lifestyle changes,
Climate change,
Infectious and chronic diseases,
Intentional and unintentional injuries, and
Early interventions on disease and social behavior later in life.

In addition, AHHI strives to promote the translation of research into health policy, community action and implementation of prevention and control strategies.

What are the goals of the AHHI?

AHHI seeks to “increase awareness and visibility of human health concerns of Arctic peoples, foster human health research, and promote health strategies that will improve health and well being of all Arctic residents.”

How will the AHHI meet its goals?

AHHI will meet its goal by:

Advancing the joint human health agenda of its partners,
Expanding research networks in the Arctic,
Fostering research activities related to its areas of interest,
Promoting education, outreach and communication,
Promoting the translation of research into action, and
Promoting the strategic direction of Arctic Human Health.

Who is coordinating AHHI?

AHHI is coordinated by an international steering committee with representation from the International Union for Circumpolar Health, human health working groups, and permanent participants of the Arctic Council. The Steering Committee will monitor and report on the progress of human health research initiatives during the IPY.