Socioeconomic and Behavioral Risk Factors of Disabilities Among the Indigenous Population in the Far North

Abstract

Purpose: to study the socioeconomic and behavioral risk factors of disabilities among indigenous population of Far North and make proposals for their prevention. Methods: The study tested the level of income, employment, education and alcohol consumption on the basis of the survey and analyzed the data of the official statistics. We used Statistica v.12 and IBM SPSS Statistics v.22 for calculating the chi-square, Wilcoxon signed- rank test criteria, T-test for paired samples and made regression and correlation analysis. Results: We did not discover significant differences in income levels, unemployment and alcohol consumption in the cohort study (2001-2010) of indigenous population in Chukotka Autonomous Region. In addition, the income of the natives is still low, unemployment and alcohol consumption are high. There is a correlation between the socioeconomic and behavioral factors and health indicators. We also propose a mathematical model which allows to suggest that the level of income above the subsistence level in 6-7 times is sufficient to minimize the impact of socioeconomic factors on population health. Conclusion: In order to prevent irreversible process of indigenous population health deterioration and society degradation it is necessary to create the accessible vocational education, increase employment and number of leisure centers. These measures will lead to income growth, increase in life expectancy and infant mortality decrease.

Aanalyzing risks of incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in areas with different climatic and geographical conditions

“…Similar processes occur on neighboring territories, for example in the Komi Republic [10] and Karelia [11]. Ticks migrated mostly due to a substantial rise in both average annual temperatures and a sum of "effective" temperatures that created natural conditions favorable for Ixodes persulcatus and made for longer periods of their activity [12]. Socioeconomic factors may as well contribute into growing numbers of people bitten by ticks [10].…”

Health Risk Modifiers of Exposure to Persistent Pollutants among Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka

“…It is evident that traditional food is a common intake pathway for persistent contaminants. Out of all the economic industries in Chukotka, traditional subsistence is the least profitable [4], which explains why indigenous people cannot afford to consume grocery store foods in sufficient quantities to reduce contaminant intake. Exposure during the preparation of self-made Pb pellets is another issue, as well as the inhalation of Pb fumes released during gun use.…”

“…Traditional subsistence in Arctic indigenous communities can be disrupted by factors such as severe changes in climate, uncontrolled environmental pollution, and contamination of traditional foods [1][2][3][4]. Abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and the remoteness of the Arctic communities further complicate matters.…”