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Risks to Human Health from a Changing Arctic

Risks to Human Health from a Changing Arctic. Jay Van Oostdam BSc, DVM, MPH Health Canada, HECSBr For Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference June 12, 2012 Edmonton. Outline. Arctic – health perspectives Arctic – population health NCP – contaminant monitoring Climate change

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Risks to Human Health from a Changing Arctic

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  1. Risks to Human Health from a Changing Arctic Jay Van Oostdam BSc, DVM, MPH Health Canada, HECSBr For Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference June 12, 2012 Edmonton

  2. Outline • Arctic – health perspectives • Arctic – population health • NCP – contaminant monitoring • Climate change • Socio-economic changes • Dietary change

  3. Human Health • Indicators – infant mortality

  4. births)

  5. Trends in Infant Mortality Bjerregard and Young 1998

  6. Northern Contaminants ProgramOne HealthMaternal Blood Contaminant Monitoring J. Van Oostdam, E. Dewailly, P. Ayotte, G. Muckle, A. Gilman, J.P. Weber, M. Potyrala, B. Armstrong, J. Walker , K. Tofflemire, M. Demers, S. Moss

  7. Total Hg

  8. NCP / AMAP – Effects studies • PCBs, Hg – Infant Development - subtle • Foetal growth • Neurobehaviour - learning • Immune system • Pb – Neurobehaviour - attention, neuromotor

  9. NCP / AMAP – Effect studies Cardiovascular risk Hg – present levels of exposure Blood pressure Oxidative stress Population Impact

  10. Climate Change - Contaminants • Climate, weather, ocean, atmospheric • Complex patterns – interactions • Redistribution of contaminants – POPs, Hg • Monitor – validate models • Hg – bacteria – increase methylation, • MeHg – toxic • Traditional foods – new dietary advice AMAP 2009

  11. Climate Change / Variability Direct Impacts • Extreme precipitation • Natural disasters – landslides • Unpredictable weather • Strandings • Traditional hunt / travel • Temperature related – • temp • Change in disease patterns Canada 2008, ACIA 2005

  12. Climate Change / Variability Indirect Impacts • UVB -  stratospheric ozone • Immunosuppression, skin cancer, • New / Emerging diseases • Zoonotic – spread temperature related events • Parasites, Salmonella, Campylobacter • Insect vectors -  survival, spread north • Lyme disease, tick borne encephalitis

  13. Climate Change / Variability Indirect Impacts • Food security • Traditional foods • Water Security • Quality, access, • Permafrost – community infrastructure • Social, psychological, cultural well being • Interactions

  14. Socio-economic Change • Industrial development • Eg. Oil and Gas, Diamonds, • Positive Impacts • Employment, health care, • Negative Impacts • Social disruption, pollution

  15. Traditional Foods – Arctic Dilemma • Risks – Contaminant Exposure • Benefits • Economic - $ • Nutritional – key nutrients

  16. Traditional Foods – Social, cultural values .

  17. Dietary Transition • Arctic – social, economic, cultural change • Dietary transition – traditional foods • Benefits – social, cultural, spiritual, economic • Nutrition – change in fat / sugar intake • Chronic disease - impacts

  18. Food Security • Food Access • nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate • Food security – aboriginal peoples • Canada – insecure - 50% - 1-2 times per month • Arctic – vulnerability magnified

  19. Percentage of households with food insecurity, by province/territory, Canada, 2007–2008. Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2007–2008.

  20. Conclusions • Climate • change - faster • Contaminants • human exposure - changing • Socioeconomic – resources • Arctic populations - Resilience

  21. Thank you

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