Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #55: International Network for Circumpolar Health Research  (International Network for Circumpolar Health Research)

Outline
The creation, development and sustaining of an international, collaborative research network with the overall aim of promoting and facilitating research into the health transition experienced by indigenous populations in Canada (Nunavut, Nunavik, NWT), Greenland, Alaska, the Nordic countries and Russia. The network links academic researchers, research centres, regional health authorities, and indigenous peoples’ organizations, and will contain the following components: (a) Research planning and coordination (b) Knowledge translation (c) Research dissemination (d) Research training Rationale: • Northern indigenous populations in the circumpolar region are undergoing a rapid social, cultural and economic transition which has resulted in changes in the major patterns of health and diseases, especially the emergence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases; • Now is the time to conduct intensive research into monitoring the occurrence, understanding the determinants, and testing the interventions in order to avert future epidemics and improve the health and well-being of indigenous peoples of the Arctic; • The proposed network formalizes an informal one that already exists across several circumpolar countries, linking researchers with a proven track record of productive, collaborative research, and considerable experience of partnership with regional health authorities/local governments, and indigenous people’s organizations • The IPY infrastructural support will allow the network to leverage funding from existing public and private sources to support specific projects, by funding critical research-related activities that are not normally allowable by regular operating grants, and create a long-lasting legacy of a robust research organization to sustain research in the next decade.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Partners include academics from Canada, United States, Nordic countries and Russia. Also involved are the regional health authorities in Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Labrador; indigenous peoples' organizations; and the private sector.

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:
More details are provided in the budget breakdown. The IPY is requested to support the staffing of a network secretariat, website development, videoconferencing facilities, research archives and databases, international symposia, meetings and exchanges, placement of research trainees in regional health authorities, student stipends and research allowances, and contributions to the publication of the International Journal for Circumpolar Health [peer-reviewed and indexed by Index Medicus]

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Healthy Communities

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?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Total budget needed for FY 2007/08 and 2008/09 is $357,000.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Kue Young
100 College Street, Toronto, ON


M5G 1L5
Canada

Tel: 416-978-6459
Mobile: no
Fax: 416-946-8055
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation