Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Taking the Polar Pulse- IPY 2007-2008”-Human Biology and Medicine Research  (TTAAPP AA=( Antarctic Arctic ))

Outline
The IPY 2007-2008 provides a unique opportunity to create a human polar observatory and enhance our capacity to develop an innovative multinational and multidisciplinary Polar Health Surveillance System (PHSS) utilising synergies of existing national polar research programs, activities and data collection, and to coordinate the use of data from the PHSS to understand the biophysical, clinical, cultural, social and behavioural processes that shape the sustainability of circumpolar human societies (IPY Theme #6). We propose to use the PHSS to address the following questions: • What physiological, psychosocial and clinical changes occur in humans interacting with the extreme environment of Antarctica? • Are these changes comparable to those experienced in Arctic populations? • How can we best prevent and treat any adverse effects of these changes? • How can this understanding enable us to improve healthcare, health and wellbeing of humans in Polar regions, in space and other extreme environments, and in mankind in general? Activities during this period will include the utilization and enhancement of efficient smart, innovative eHealth and telemedicine technologies in the collection and support of this snapshot of human health during the IPY in polar regions. The programme will provide an opportunity for students and scholars from a consortium of universities to participate in the proposed research activities and acquire the experience and skills necessary to become the next generation of polar researchers. Once the comprehensive IPY science and operational plans are cemented, detailed flexible, modular and opportunistic human biology and medicine research planning will be possible, utilizing the various platforms including isolated polar communities, traverses and polar marine cruises. Subprojects utilizing or contributing to the PHSS based on nationally funded priorities will be coordinated by the research group and will include studies in the following areas of interest to Antarctic and Arctic researchers: • Epidemiology • Physiology • Social and Behavioral Sciences • Immunology • Photo/Chronobiology • Public health • Occupational health • eHealth Many of these subprojects have research modules currently in the field (e.g., Antarctic Multinational Psychology Research Project, Long Term Medical Survey) which will benefit greatly by increased participation and synergies of cross-analysis of datasets across nations, across disciplines and at both poles. Existing and new research modules utilizing new observational techniques will provide a unique opportunity to obtain a snapshot of polar health leaving legacy data and health systems into the future.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The Polar Heath Surveillance System will provide an immediately useful snapshot of polar biophysical, psychosocial health and sustainability of circumpolar societies. In addition, large-scale processes of socioeconomic globalization, climate change, and economic development make it increasingly likely that circumpolar societies will experience a substantial increase in both population and social, cultural and economic linkages to populations living elsewhere. The legacy of the PHSS will be an understanding of, and ability to continually monitor, the biophysical, clinical, cultural, social and behavioural processes that sustain this population growth and linkage to non-polar regions that is critical to the management of both phenomena

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The SCAR Life Sciences Expert Group on Human Biology and Medicine is a multidisciplinary group engaged in research in the Arctic and Antarctic, representing 16 nations and other ICSU societies including the International Union of Circumpolar Health, International Union of Psychological Sciences, and International Union of Physiological Sciences will be invited to participate and support.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The proposed field work will be undertaken in both Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. This work will include Antarctic stations, field camps, traverses and marine shipping opportunistically dependant on other IPY activities. Communities, mining and remote field camps will be utilised in the Arctic

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 12/06 – 12/08            
Antarctic: 10/06 – 4/09            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will be largely opportunistic and utilising existing research networks, National Antarctic and Arctic programs and logistics. No heavy logistic requirements are anticipated.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The PHSS will provide the infrastructure for ongoing data collection to both monitor and improve understanding of sustainability of circumpolar societies in the face of globalization and climatic change now and into the future. Utilisation of advanced eHealth and observational technologies will further enhance healthcare delivery in the polar regions.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency

Existing networks and logistics arrangements depending on final major IPY projects will be utilised usually in conjunction with the delivery of healthcare in the Antarctic coordinated via National programs. There will be no heavy logistic requirement

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been endorsed by the SCAR Life Sciences Scientific Standing Group(http://www.nioo.knaw.nl/projects/scarlsssg/docs/DraftReportLSSSGBremen2004_20040901.pdf), and the International Union of Psychological Sciences. This project has been submitted EG national representatives to National IPY Committees for consideration.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Exp
There are multiple national and multinational subprojects( eg Antarctic Multinational Psychological Research project and the Long Term Health Study and others) which will be coordinated under this project to optimise synergies and maximise theme and target outcomes to both the participating nations and the public at large

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by the SCAR LSSSG Expert Group of Human Biology and Medicine coordinating both Antarctic and Arctic aspects of the research. National Representatives and other researchers will provide funding from national agencies collaborating together on synergistic common datasets and subprojects. An IPY coordinator has been appointed by the Expert Group.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A university consortium will assume responsibility for educational activities designed to produce the next generation of polar researchers. eHealth and web technologies will make visible activities in both polar settings via schools, universities and health networks. Relevance to space exploration and other extreme environments of space further optimises public impact.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Initial data management plans include the indicative agreement to provide common project data management support by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre. The Australian Antarctic Data centre has expertise in web based collaborative polar data management and is a member of JCADM. http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=3786 Given the nature and ethical management of health and human research data, secure confidential anonymised databases will be critical to success of the program. National researchers and collaborators will retain own identifiable data. It is anticipated registered collaborators will have free access to the common anonymised dataset allowing multidisciplinary and multinational cross-analysis of data providing critical statistical power to what has often been difficult to achieve with small multiseason populations. Funding will be sought from each national collaborator for development and management of the central research dataset.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be obtained from National Antarctic and Arctic programs as per current multinational funding programs. The Expert Group of Human Biology and Medicine will provide some coordination support. With operational and research health outcomes there may be opportunity to seek funding from national polar operators via COMNAP.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Additional 7th Project Collaborator Prof Peter Suedfeld University of British Columbia, Canada; SCAR EG HB&M Member

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Jeff Ayton
Secretary/IPY Coordinator SCAR Expert Group Human Biology&Medicine
Polar Medicine Unit
Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Hwy Kingston TASMANIA
7050
Australia

Tel: +61 3 6232 3300
Mobile: +61 418 564087
Fax: +61 3 6232 3310
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information