Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Integration and health - a comparative study of how socio-demographic changes have influenced the health condition of the Sami and the Inuit since the 18th century  (Health effects of integration among Sami and Inuit)

Outline
The main objective of the project is to study the health trends in different Sami and Inuit populations and relate them to socio-demographic changes, and to develop a theoretical framework on the relations between the health condition of minority populations in the arctic region and the processes of assimilation, integration and segregation of these populations. The theoretical framework on how socio-cultural processes are related to health is incomplete. For indigenous populations in the arctic, Berry’s model of acculturation is often used as a basis when interactions between health and socio-cultural processes are discussed. However, the empirical support for the Berry-model is not very convincing, at least not for different Sami and Inuit populations. Thus, a modified model is needed to account for the diversity in health conditions observed among indigenous people in different socio-cultural and demographical conditions. In Sweden, the governmental Sami policy has until rather lately been aimed at separating the reindeer herding Sami and assimilating the non-herding Sami. In spite of other purposes, the separation of the reindeer herding Sami has promoted a better health within this group than among other Sami and non Sami in the same geographical setting. According to recent studies, prominent characteristics of the lifestyle of the reindeer herding Sami are e.g. abundance of physical activity and fresh air, a diet rich in high quality fat and proteins, and a stronger cultural identity. Yet, in a historical perspective the health and living conditions of the Sami are only partly known, and their health and diseases have never been comprehensively analysed in relation to socio-cultural and demographic changes. Compared with the Sami, the health and life conditions of the Inuit of Greenland and Denmark are relatively well studied, with data from extensive epidemiological studies based on clinical examinations, self-reported health, identity and lifestyle, allowing detailed knowledge on the epidemiological transition that has occurred among the Inuit. This transition started earlier among the Sami, but is probably still an active process both among the Sami and the Inuit. Comparisons of different groups of Sami and Inuit enable examination of the impact on the health transition of various phases of integration, assimilation and separation. The long history of collecting and maintaining national statistics in Sweden makes it possible to gain new information on the socio-demographical and health development of the Sami. By aid of the parish registers, changes in living conditions and health will be followed from the mid 18th century. A postal questionnaire will be sent to 10 000 Sami in different parts of Sweden. Similar questionnaire data is already available from Inuit in Greenland and Denmark. Health status and socio-demographic conditions will be described through indicators such as e.g. causes of death, infant mortality, life expectancy, occupation, housing, income, migration, kinship, and self-reported health. Different states of integration/assimilation will be defined based on attitudes and policy embraced by the majority population and on e.g. self-identity, self-image, kinship, sense of coherence, cultural heritage, participation in various societal activities, and copying strategies of the Sami and the Inuit.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project is expected to improve the understanding of how the health conditions are related to socio-demographic conditions among Sami and Inuit. By combining historical and modern data the epidemiological transition among Sami and Inuit will be clarified regarding its relation to integration, assimilation and separation. Based on the results we intend to develop a theoretical framework on the relations between the health condition of minority populations in the arctic and the processes of assimilation, integration and segregation of such populations. If the model turns out to be general enough to be applicable also to other minority populations, it might be used in planning and predicting health effects of policy and reforms directed towards integration of different ethnic minorities and immigrants.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project involves collaborations between Greenland/Denmark (Professor Peter Bjerregaard, Statens Institut for Folkesundhed, Copenhagen, Danmark) and Sweden (Professor Peter Sköld, Centre for Sami Research, CeSam, Umeå University, Sweden, Professor Per Sjölander and Dr Sven Hassler, Southern Lapland Research Department, Vilhelmina, Sweden).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Not applicable.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Not applicable

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Not applicable.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - Later this year (April 19) national funding will be applied for from the Swedish Research Council.

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 project is a new autonomous proposal.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be self-managed and coordinated by professor Peter Sköld at the Centre for Sami Research, CeSam, Umeå University, Sweden.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A selected group of pupils and teachers from upper secondary schools in Sweden, Denmark and Greenland will be offered participation in the project. They will be fully informed about the project and the pupils will take active part in some data collection and analyses. We will take advantage of the experience gained at Southern Lapland Research Department regarding strategies for recruiting secondary school students to scientific university education. Arctic communities, decision makers, the scientific society and the general public will be informed about the project and its results through public conferences and seminars, exhibitions, news papers, scientific papers, and participation in scientific meetings and conferences.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Partly, the raw data will be extracted from existing databases (1) health and socio-demographic data from about 8 000 Inuit, 1993-2006, managed by Peter Bjerregaard, Statens Institut for Folkesundhed, Copenhagen, Danmark, (2) health, socio-demographic and identity data from Sami individuals identified in the parish registers, 1700-1900, managed by the Demographic Data Base, University of Umeå, Sweden, and (3) health and living conditions of the Swedish Sami population (41 000 individuals), between 1960-2006, managed by Southern Lapland Research Department, Vilhelmina, Sweden. In addition to compile adequate data from the above registers, new data will be collected as an important part of the project. A questionnaire directed to 10 000 Sami in different parts of Sweden will be administrated to gain information on a number of health and socio-demographic indicators. The project data manager will be Dr Sven Hassler who is an experienced data manager. He has participated in the development of the data base on health and living conditions in the Swedish Sami population, and he has administrated the data base since 2000. It should be easy to integrating the project data management plan to the IPY Data Management Plan, including submission of metadata according to an agreed timetable.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The existing databases from which the raw data will be extracted, are maintained and funded by national institutions. Funding for the new data collection, extracting data from existing data based and the analyses will be applied for from the Swedish Research Council later this year (April 19).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Peter Sköld
Centre for Sami Research, CeSam,
Umeå University
SE-901 87
Sweden

Tel: +46 (0)90-786 50 00
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation