Arctic Health: Public Health, Healthcare Systems, and Wellbeing in Greenland MTA
An evidence-based look at health determinants, services, and culturally competent care in remote Arctic communities

About this book:

"Arctic Health: Public Health, Healthcare Systems, and Wellbeing in Greenland" provides an evidence-based, comprehensive overview of the unique health challenges and solutions in Greenland's remote communities. The book details how Greenland's vast geography, dispersed population, and severe climate profoundly impact healthcare delivery, making routine services a logistical puzzle. It highlights the critical roles of primary care clinics, regional health centers, and medevac systems in bridging immense distances, often relying on nurses and medical assistants as the frontline providers with broad scopes of practice. Telehealth and digital health innovations are presented as crucial tools for extending specialist care and remote monitoring, though their effectiveness is constrained by uneven internet connectivity and digital literacy.

The book delves into the complex interplay of social, structural, and environmental determinants of health. It examines how historical trauma, particularly the legacy of colonialism, continues to affect mental health, substance use patterns, and social cohesion, contributing to high rates of suicide and intergenerational trauma. Climate change emerges as an overarching threat, impacting food security, travel safety due to unpredictable sea ice, housing stability due to permafrost thaw, and the potential for new health risks. Nutrition is explored through the lens of traditional foods, which offer vital nutrients but are increasingly supplemented by, or replaced with, market foods high in sugar and processed fats, contributing to the rise of noncommunicable diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

Specific health issues are addressed across the lifespan, including the persistent challenge of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, the high burden of respiratory illnesses, and the importance of maternal, newborn, and child health, alongside adolescent and elder care. Prevention strategies are consistently emphasized as the most cost-effective approach in a resource-constrained and geographically challenging environment. Injury and violence prevention are highlighted as critical due to environmental hazards and social factors. The book stresses the importance of culturally competent care, community participation, and co-design in all health initiatives, recognizing that interventions are most effective when developed in partnership with and reflecting the values of Inuit communities.

Finally, the volume concludes with a strong focus on health system governance, financing, and policy recommendations. It outlines the complexities of funding a universal healthcare system in a small, dispersed population, balancing home rule autonomy with financial and specialist ties to Denmark. The overarching message is a call for a holistic, integrated approach that leverages local strengths—resilience, traditional knowledge, and social cohesion—alongside strategic investments in workforce development, infrastructure, technology, and robust public health programming. The book serves as a roadmap for building a more equitable, resilient, and culturally safe health system in Greenland, one that is continuously learning and adapting to the evolving needs of its people and environment.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Evidence-based analysis of how geography, culture, and policy shape health in remote Arctic communities, with a focus on Greenland's unique public health landscape
• Comprehensive examination of social and structural determinants of health including historical trauma, food security, housing, and climate change impacts
• Practical solutions for mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention grounded in community-led initiatives and cultural safety
• Innovations in telehealth, digital health, and adaptive health systems designed for vast distances and extreme environments
• Guidance on ethical research, data sovereignty, and culturally competent care in Indigenous contexts with actionable policy recommendations

Who's It For:

This book is essential for health professionals, public health practitioners, policymakers, researchers, educators, and community leaders working in or with Arctic communities, particularly Greenland. It provides evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations for those seeking to understand and improve health outcomes in remote settings where geography, culture, and historical factors create unique challenges and opportunities for public health intervention.