Unnatural deaths in reindeer-herding Sami families in Sweden, 1961–2001

Ahlm, Kristin; Hassler, Sven; Sjölander, Per; Eriksson, Antonina

doi:10.3402/ijch.v69i2.17432

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…Communicating negative feelings and thoughts may be a protecting act helping to understand and regulate feelings and behaviours, thus, instead of interpreting the higher prevalence of negative feelings in women as vulnerability, it could be a strength helping women to solve conflict and adapt to different circumstances in order to “survive”. For instance, even if depression is twice as common in women, men more often commit suicide and, are more often involved in fatal accidents than women (36,37). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The health of young Swedish Sami with special reference to mental health

Omma

Jacobsson

Petersen

2012

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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ObjectivesTo investigate the health of young Sami in Sweden and the relationship between health and experience of negative societal treatment due to ethnicity, as well as socio-demographic background factors.Study designCross-sectional population-based questionnaire study.MethodsA total of 876 persons aged 18–28 and involved in Sami associated activities were addressed, and 516 (59%) responded to a questionnaire investigating physical health, mental health, and stress. Data were analyzed with regard to gender, family situation, occupation, education, enculturation factors and experience of being badly treated because of ethnicity.ResultsA majority of the young Sami reported feeling healthy, but close to half of the group reported often having worries, often forgetting things and often experiencing lack of time for doing needed things. Women and those living alone reported a more negative health. Furthermore, half of the group had perceived bad treatment because of Sami ethnicity, and this was negatively associated with some aspects of mental health.ConclusionThe young Sami had a rather good and possibly slightly better health than other young Swedes, except regarding worries and stress. A high degree of bad treatment due to Sami ethnicity and its negative association with health, may partly explain the high degree of some health problems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The health of young Swedish Sami with special reference to mental health

Omma

Jacobsson

Petersen

2012

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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“…The Swedish Causes of Death Register was used to examine life expectancy and specific causes of death among reindeer-herding and non-reindeer-herding Swedish Sami over the period 1961–2000 (14–17). No difference in life expectancy was observed between the Sami and the non-Sami population of the same geographic region.…”

Section: Mortality and Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Detailed analyses of all unnatural death that occurred among reindeer-herding men between 1961 and 2001, using autopsy records at the National Board of Forensic Medicine, police reports, and medical records at the County Council, showed that suicides contributed to 23% of all deaths, road traffic accidents to 16%, and snowmobile fatalities to 11% (17). Half of the victims tested positive for alcohol, and alcohol abuse was documented in 15% of the victims.…”

Section: Mortality and Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Half of the victims tested positive for alcohol, and alcohol abuse was documented in 15% of the victims. The accident pattern reflects an outdoor lifestyle and working conditions characterized by high socioeconomic pressure and extensive use of off-road vehicles (15, 17). …”

Section: Mortality and Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In three-fourth of all suicides, the causes of death were gunshot wounds and hanging (17). The geographic distribution showed that the incidence of suicide is significantly larger in the southern part of the reindeer-herding district of Sweden (results in preparation).…”

Section: Mortality and Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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What is known about the health and living conditions of the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, the Sami?

Sjölander¹

2011

Global Health Action

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BackgroundThe Sami are the indigenous ethnic population of northern Scandinavia. Their health condition is poorly known, although the knowledge has improved over the last decade.ObjectivesThe aim was to review the current information on mortality, diseases, and risk factor exposure in the Swedish Sami population.DesignHealth-related research on Sami cohorts published in scientific journals and anthologies was used to compare the health condition among the Sami and the majority non-Sami population. When relevant, data from the Sami populations in Swedish were compared with corresponding data from Norwegian and Finnish Sami populations.ResultsLife expectancy and mortality patterns of the Sami are similar to those of the majority population. Small differences in incidences of cancer and cardiovascular diseases have been reported. The traditional Sami lifestyle seems to contain elements that reduce the risk to develop cancer and cardiovascular diseases, e.g. physical activity, diet rich in antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids, and a strong cultural identity. Reindeer herding is an important cultural activity among the Sami and is associated with high risks for accidents. Pain in the lower back, neck, shoulders, elbows, and hands are frequent among both men and women in reindeer-herding families. For men, these symptoms are related to high exposure to terrain vehicles, particularly snowmobile, whereas for women psychosocial risk factors seem to more important, e.g. poor social support, high effort, low reward, and high economical responsibilities.ConclusionsAlthough the health condition of the Sami population appears to be rather similar to that of the general Swedish population, a number of specific health problems have been identified, especially among the reindeer-herding Sami. Most of these problems have their origin in marginalization and poor knowledge of the reindeer husbandry and the Sami culture in the majority population. It is suggested that the most sustainable measure to improve the health among the reindeer-herding Sami would be to improve the conditions of the reindeer husbandry and the Sami culture.

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The Holistic Effects of Climate Change on the Culture, Well-Being, and Health of the Saami, the Only Indigenous People in the European Union

Jaakkola

Juntunen

Näkkäläjärvi

2018

Curr Envir Health Rpt

107

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Purpose of Review(1) To develop a framework for understanding the holistic effects of climate change on the Saami people; (2) to summarize the scientific evidence about the primary, secondary, and tertiary effects of climate change on Saami culture and Sápmi region; and (3) to identify gaps in the knowledge of the effects of climate change on health and well-being of the Saami.Recent FindingsThe Saami health is on average similar, or slightly better compared to the health of other populations in the same area. Warming climate has already influenced Saami reindeer culture. Mental health and suicide risk partly linked to changing physical and social environments are major concerns.SummaryThe lifestyle, diet, and morbidity of the Saami are changing to resemble the majority populations posing threats for the health of the Saami and making them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Climate change is a threat for the cultural way of life of Saami. Possibilities for Saami to adapt to climate change are limited.

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Unnatural deaths in reindeer-herding Sami families in Sweden, 1961–2001

Cited by 19 publications

References 15 publications

The health of young Swedish Sami with special reference to mental health

The health of young Swedish Sami with special reference to mental health

What is known about the health and living conditions of the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, the Sami?

The Holistic Effects of Climate Change on the Culture, Well-Being, and Health of the Saami, the Only Indigenous People in the European Union

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