Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Siberian Human Health Project (under umbrella project AHHI, ? 914)  (SHHP)

Outline
Russia is a Northern State with a vast northern territory, including European North and Siberia. Main reserves of natural resources, which are the basis of the Russian economy, are concentrated in Northern provinces. At the same time, the state of health of indigenous and non-indigenous people in the North is much worse than in other territories in the middle zone. Historically, the question of health of the population of northern regions was monitored by Siberian branch of Russian Academy of Medical Science (Novosibirsk, Tomsk and Irkutsk).) The Russian party offers a Project, which includes the following: A) Basic researches in the field of human adaptation in circumpolar regions, paying special attention to respiratory and cardiovascular system diseases, and also to basic reasons of their growth (social, psychosomatic, physiological, biochemical, immunological and genetic). A special attention will be given to the influence of anthropogenic pollution of the environment and climatic and geophysical factors. In the framework of this direction, it is planned to develop basic researches of physiological mechanisms of nonspecific resistance of an organism to extreme environmental conditions and ways of prophylaxis directed on the increase of functional reserves of an organism (methods of directed hypoxic exposures, correction of microelement structure of food and correction of stress induced disorders). B) Scientific and applied researches of human health at production activity in cold climate conditions and development of protection means (also when shift forms of labor organization are used in northern regions). C) Carrying out ICCH-13 (International Congress Circumpolar Health) in Russia, Novosibirsk in 2006 (http://www.ict.nsc.ru/ws/icch13) D) In 2007 or 2008 (during the International Polar year) to carry out a 2-month summer international steamer expedition on one of the largest rivers of Siberia - the Ob river (from the source to the mouth), in the basin of which the largest oil and gas producing cities (Surgut, Nizhnevartovsk, Urengoy, Nadym, Khanty-Mansiysk, Salekhard and Yamburg) are located. Most of them have newly established educational centers (Universities or institutes). The purpose of the expedition is to expand international cooperation, to carry out training seminars, to acquaint foreign colleagues with the work of local medical centers and biological laboratories in the Northwest province of Siberia. In the framework of the expedition, sociological, anthropological and physiological researches can be carried out. For coordination of researches in these directions, we plan to establish in Novosibirsk a noncommercial "Medical polar fund ", which tasks would include carrying out scientific forums, coordination of international projects and scientific programs on data collection and analysis of observations, database accumulation and joining of efforts of Russian polar health researchers from other regions of Russia. Moreover, a priority task of the Fund could be the development of international educational programs on medical and biologic disciplines for specialist' work in northern regions. The Fund will work under the aegis of SB RAMS and in close cooperation with IUCH and industrial enterprises of the North of Siberia.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We expect the SHHP to improve the health of Arctic people by identifying and extending measures to prevent death, disease and disability by improving access to health care services. We anticipate a significant increase in the exchange of research findings within the research community and improved exchange of information between the research community and Arctic residents, including indigenous peoples.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We expect collaboration among health professionals from Russian, Finland, Sweden and the United States (under umbrella project AHHI, ? 914). We also anticipate cooperating with interested representatives of international organizations such as WHO, American Society of Safety Engineers

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We expect collaboration among health professionals from Russian, Finland, Sweden and the United States (under umbrella project AHHI, ? 914). We also anticipate cooperating with interested representatives of international organizations such as WHO, American Society of Safety Engineers

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Under umbrella project AHHI, ? 914

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The SHHP will leave a stronger circumpolar network of public health research specialists and facilities, including the International Journal of Circumpolar Health (IJCH) and Bulletin Siberian Branch Rassian Academi jf Medical Science.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - Arctic Council Ministers meeting November 24, 2004 in Reykjavik, Iceland directed Arctic Council stakeholders to develop proposals to the IPY Joint Committee.

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 SHHP will begin as an expansion of existing and planned projects of the AHHI project, but will develop new activities by 2007-2008.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The SHHP will be organized under the auspices of the AHHI project

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The SHHP will hold a scoping workshop in April, 2005 that will develop an education, outreach and communication strategy building on the resources already offered by the International Union for Circumpolar Health (IUCH) and described above.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Human health data management, including privacy, uniformity and quality, will be key elements of the SHHP.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Current funding is provided by agencies of the member states of the Arctic Council.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Sergey Krivoschekov
Institute Phisiology Russian Academy of Medical Science
lab. Fuction reseves of organism
Timakova str.4 Novosibirsk, Siberia
630117
Russia

Tel: +(383)3324256
Mobile: no
Fax: +(383)3324254
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation