Arctic Initiative Highlights from Arctic Encounter Symposium 2024
Building Healthy and Thriving Arctic Communities: A Discussion with Arctic Mayors and U.S. Arctic Research Commissioners
Arctic communities face a multitude of complex health challenges, from inadequate access to health services and sanitation infrastructure deficits, to food insecurity and behavioral and mental health challenges amplified by COVID-19. Climate change, too, presents new health threats that have not been fully assessed.
During a panel session organized by the Arctic Initiative and Arctic Mayors’ Forum, Jennifer Spence moderated a conversation with U.S. Arctic Research Commissioners, mayors, and community leaders, all of whom play a role in ensuring the delivery of essential health services to Arctic residents.
[On the lack of maternal healthcare services] “When I was pregnant, there was no midwife in my hometown. Maybe 30 years ago, we had a hospital and you could have a baby there, but not anymore. So you have to travel…for four weeks prior to your birth and stay somewhere…If you have complications, like I had, a high risk pregnancy, this is really difficult for ladies in the Arctic. And of course, when you face a reality like that, you want to leave the community.” — Ásthildur Sturludóttir, Mayor of Akureyri, Iceland
[On the lack of maternal healthcare services] “When I was pregnant, there was no midwife in my hometown. Maybe 30 years ago, we had a hospital and you could have a baby there, but not anymore. So you have to travel…for four weeks prior to your birth and stay somewhere…If you have complications, like I had, a high risk pregnancy, this is really difficult for ladies in the Arctic. And of course, when you face a reality like that, you want to leave the community.” — Ásthildur Sturludóttir, Mayor of Akureyri, Iceland