One health in the circumpolar North

Abstract

The North faces significant health disparities, especially among its many Indigenous peoples. In this article we discuss historical, environmental, and cultural variables that contribute to these disparities and propose a One Health approach to address them in a holistic and culturally appropriate manner. The One Health paradigm recognizes the interdependence among the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment. As such, the framework aligns well with many Indigenous world views. This proactive, interdisciplinary, constructivist, and collaborative approach promise earlier detection of risks and threats, as well as more effective responses, in part by engaging community level stakeholders in all stages of the process. In the far North, humans, especially Indigenous peoples, continue to live closely connected to their environment, in settings that exert significant impacts on health. In recent decades, rapid warming and elevated contaminant levels have heightened environmental risks and increased uncertainty, both of which threaten individual and community health and well-being. Under these circumstances especially, One Health's comprehensive approach may provide mitigating and adaptive strategies to enhance resilience. While many of the examples used in this manuscript focus on Alaska and Canada, the authors believe similar conditions exist among the indigenous and rural residents across the entire Circumpolar North.

Examining the concept of One Health for indigenous communities: A systematic review

“…Four articles analyzed the health impacts of climate change on Northern residents near the Arctic Circle [ [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] ]. The rate and impact of climate change is faster in northern latitudes than in more temperate areas, having detrimental effects on northern Indigenous communities [ 10 ].…”

“…The rate and impact of climate change is faster in northern latitudes than in more temperate areas, having detrimental effects on northern Indigenous communities [ 10 ]. Warming Arctic temperatures have disrupted the migration patterns of animals, thus hindering the ability of Indigenous Peoples across the north to hunt their traditional game with the same predictability as before [ 11 ]. Climate change has also increased the likelihood of zoonoses due to more significant opportunities for pathogens to spread in warmer temperatures [ 10 ].…”

“…Dudley et al [ 10 ], as well as Ruscio et al [ 12 ], discuss how a changing Arctic environment has exacerbated the spread of rabies and other parasites due to pollution and global warming. Warming climates also have a disruptive effect on the essential cultural practices of northern Peoples, which include tracking and hunting animals, as well as seasonal migrations relying on thick frozen sea ice [ 11 , 13 ]. One Health was described as a potentially useful framework for interventions addressing climate change-induced health problems.…”

“…Hueffer et al [ 11 ] conducted workshops with Arctic community stakeholders and residents, resulting in a better understanding of how One Health conceptual interventions can be implemented. The discussions identified: improved veterinary care, youth educational programs, improved natural resource management, improved surveillance of issues around food security, and better understanding the sustainability of resources to address concerns regarding the changing ecological health of the Arctic [ 11 ]. Community consultation with the stakeholders was necessary to identify which issues are the priority of residents, and how best they can be addressed.…”

Rural360: incubating socially accountable research in the Canadian North

“…Unprecedented climactic and socio-economic forces [1][2][3][4] are poised to exacerbate already considerable health disparities [5,6] endemic to the Circumpolar North. Accordingly, the Arctic Council, under Finnish and more recently, Icelandic leadership, has prioritised the wellbeing of the region's citizens and communities [7,8], acknowledging their commitment to the Arctic people they ultimately serve.…”