Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The Circumpolar Health and Wellbeing (CHW): Research programme for Circumpolar Health and Wellbeing (RCHW), Graduate School of Circumpolar Wellbeing, Health and Adaptation (GCHW), and International Joint Master’s Program in Circumpolar Health and Wellbeing (MCHW)  (CHW)

Outline
Climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the future. Marked health effects are expected by short-term climatic variability in the context of the long-term climate change. Knowledge about the links between climate and human health has increased considerably, but there are still many open questions about likely future consequences of exposure to climatic-environmental changes, and its adverse health effects. Northern societies and populations have many specific features influencing human health and wellbeing. Research on these influences is young but it is already able to show that prevention and care of sicknesses need specific applications in the north. CHW-project targets to improve scientific knowledge, societal implications and higher education in master and doctoral degree level in the aforementioned areas, where change is likely to occur as a result of global climate change and the vast societal changes taking place in arctic societies. The project consists of three areas: 1) Research Programme of Circumpolar Health and Wellbeing (RCHW), 2) Graduate School of Circumpolar Wellbeing, Health and Adaptation (GCHW) and 3) Joint International Master Programme of Circumpolar Wellbeing and Health (MCHW). The RCWH aims to improve sustainable development of health and wellbeing in the circumpolar regions. The priority research areas are 1) Risks, Stress and Adaptation (performance, symptoms, diseases, injuries, mortality), 2) Health and Health Care (elderly, children, rural population), 3) Humanistic Approach to Wellbeing (minority languages, minority identities, anthropology and history, societies). These areas link to the IPY –themes. RCHW subprojects focus on impacts of climate on human health, causal relationships, risk assessment, evaluation of population vulnerability and adaptive capacity, and the development of preventive measures and tools. The GCHW aims to increase the number of high-quality researchers and experts who are familiar with the health and wellbeing problematics related to circumpolar areas and can use a multidisciplinary approach to find new solutions to ensure our wellbeing in the future. The focus areas of education are closely connected to the thematic areas of the RCHW. The Graduate School is starting its second four-year period in 2007. During this time period until 2010, the research training for doctoral students will be linked to IPY –themes. The two-year interdisciplinary MCHW is international and will consist of multiform studies leading to master’s degree in the different participating universities. MCHW graduates will be capable to act in multiprofessional contexts, e.g. in administrative and managerial positions in health care services, as well as in education, development, planning,, international collaboration and research. MCHW will also provide the graduates with knowledge and skills for doctoral studies and research, as MCHW has a connection to post-graduate level through GCHW.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The significant advances related to IPY themes and targets will be ones concerning change in the arctic regions and societies that will be realized through research as well as education, outreach and communication. The CWH research projects advance the understanding of the interrelationships of current and future health risks related to physical environment, population characteristics, living conditions, genetic endowment, behaviour, and delivery of health care services that are unique for the circumpolar populations. The advances gained through the GCHW and MCHW will be education of researchers, administrators and professionals with a multidisciplinary knowledge and skills on special features and problems of arctic regions, communities and people and the development international co-operation in higher education with arctic and northern focus As a result, arctic scientists and other residents will have an improved understanding of the functional significance of adaptation to environmental extremes, the specific environmental conditions and physiological mechanisms that affect performance, health and wellbeing in these regions. Because of the potentially profound long-term health impacts of climate change, research on health care sector will be emphasized to better understand the health effects of climate change and the role of the health sector in addressing this issue. .

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
RCWH and GCWH have active scientific and educational collaboration with several arctic or northern universities and organisations in Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Russia, UK, USA and Canada. MCHW is based on international collaboration of the MCHW university network including partners from Canada, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland (and United States). The network will be open for expansion and new partners.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes

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?


The three parts of the proposal (research programme, graduate school and joint international master programme) are an existing part of Centre for Arctic Medicine at Thule Institute, Oulu University -coordinated activities that are focused to support the goals of IPY.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The proposed activities will be organised through existing Centre for Arctic Medicine at Thule Institute, Oulu University structures.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The plan of the proposed activities is to especially address higher education through the already functioning graduate school and the joint international master programme that will start functioning in 2007. The outreach activities targeted to health care professionals and communities in rural areas will be realized through development projects that are part of the research programme and in collaboration with International Journal of Circumpolar Health (IJCH), which has produced its own EoI. The communication issues will be organised through a scientific journal of International Journal of Circumpolar Health that is edited in Oulu.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will be done mainly at the University of Oulu. The subprojects have recognized this type of resource needs

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The proposed activities are partially funded through the University of Oulu, Thule Institute and Centre for Arctic Medicine operations, while other parts will require funding from other national and international institutions.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Research Professor Juhani Hassi
Centre for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu
P.O. Box 5000 (postal address)
Aapistie 1 (street address), University of Oulu
FIN-90014
Finland

Tel: +358 8 537 6200
Mobile: no
Fax: +358 8 5376203
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation