The Experts below are selected from a list of 16641 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Michael J. Kral - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Suicide and Suicide Prevention among Inuit in Canada
Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 2016Co-Authors: Michael J. KralAbstract:Inuit in Canada have among the highest suicide rates in the world, and it is primarily among their youth. Risk factors include known ones such as depression, substance use, a history of abuse, and knowing others who have made attempts or have killed themselves, however of importance are the negative effects of colonialism. This took place for Inuit primarily during the government era starting in the 1950s, when Inuit were moved from their family-based land camps to crowded settlements run by white men, and children were removed from their parents and placed into residential or day schools. This caused more disorganization than reorganization. The most negative effect of this colonialism/imperialism for Inuit has been on their family and sexual relationships. Many Inuit youth feel alone and rejected. Suicide prevention has been taking place, the most successful being community-driven programs developed and run by Inuit. Mental health factors for Indigenous peoples are often cultural. It is recommended that practitioners work with the community and with Inuit organizations. Empowered communities can be healing.
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Canadian Inuit community engagement in suicide prevention
International journal of circumpolar health, 2009Co-Authors: Michael J. Kral, Patricia K. Wiebe, Kari Nisbet, Catherine Dallas, Looee Okalik, Nubiya Enuaraq, James CinottaAbstract:Objectives. To review suicide patterns among Inuit in Canada and highlight new developments inInuit-driven and community-based suicide prevention.Study design. Narrative overview of suicide among Inuit in Canada, strides towards Inuitautonomy, and community and government action towards suicide prevention.Methods. Review of Inuit meanings of mental health, movements towards Inuit control acrossInuit Nunaat (the 4 Inuit regions) of Canada, and of community and government action towardssuicide prevention.Results. Economic advancement is occurring in Inuit Nunaat following land claim settlements,and territorial and provincial governments are overseeing Inuit well-being. Inuit communityengagement in suicide prevention is taking place and studies are being planned to evaluate the efficacyof such action for suicide prevention and community mental health. Initial evidence demonstratesthat community control over suicide prevention itself can be effective towards preventingsuicide.Conclusions. A new orientation is taking place in Canada in the name of Aboriginal communityempowerment. There is a new hope for the model of meaningful community engagement andpartnership with the Canadian government in suicide prevention and well-being. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2009; 68(3):292-308) Keywords: Inuit, suicide prevention, empowerment, community–government collaboration.
Peter Bjerregaard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the effect of an extreme and prolonged population bottleneck on patterns of deleterious variation insights from the greenlandic Inuit
Genetics, 2017Co-Authors: Casperemil T Pedersen, Peter Bjerregaard, Kirk E Lohmueller, Niels Grarup, Torben Baek Hansen, Hans R Siegismund, Ida Moltke, Anders AlbrechtsenAbstract:The genetic consequences of population bottlenecks on patterns of deleterious genetic variation in human populations are of tremendous interest. Based on exome sequencing of 18 Greenlandic Inuit we show that the Inuit have undergone a severe ∼20,000-year-long bottleneck. This has led to a markedly more extreme distribution of allele frequencies than seen for any other human population tested to date, making the Inuit the perfect population for investigating the effect of a bottleneck on patterns of deleterious variation. When comparing proxies for genetic load that assume an additive effect of deleterious alleles, the Inuit show, at most, a slight increase in load compared to European, East Asian, and African populations. Specifically, we observe <4% increase in the number of derived deleterious alleles in the Inuit. In contrast, proxies for genetic load under a recessive model suggest that the Inuit have a significantly higher load (20% increase or more) compared to other less bottlenecked human populations. Forward simulations under realistic models of demography support our empirical findings, showing up to a 6% increase in the genetic load for the Inuit population across all models of dominance. Further, the Inuit population carries fewer deleterious variants than other human populations, but those that are present tend to be at higher frequency than in other populations. Overall, our results show how recent demographic history has affected patterns of deleterious variants in human populations.
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Serum lipids of Greenland Inuit in relation to Inuit genetic heritage, westernisation and migration
Atherosclerosis, 2004Co-Authors: Peter Bjerregaard, Marit E. Jørgensen, Knut Borch-johnsenAbstract:Background: The reputed low prevalence of cardiovascular disease among the Inuit has recently been challenged. Studies have shown total cholesterol among the Inuit to differ little from that of western populations and the association between cholesterol and atherosclerosis to be inconsistent. Methods: We studied serum lipids in a population survey among 2114 Inuit living in Denmark or in West Greenland. Blood tests were supplemented by structured interviews, anthropometry and measurements of blood pressure. Findings: Compared with the general population of Denmark, total cholesterol was higher among Inuit women, while HDL-cholesterol was higher among Inuit men. Triglyceride was lower among Inuit of both sexes. Cholesterol and triglyceride varied according to westernisation, diet, alcohol consumption and smoking. In a multivariate analysis, serum lipids also differed significantly between pure and genetically mixed Inuit: HDL-cholesterol was higher among the genetically pure Inuit, while among men triglyceride was lower and among women total and LDL-cholesterol were higher. Interpretation: Among the Inuit, serum lipids are significantly associated with westernisation and genetic heritage. The effect of westernisation is to some extent due to dietary changes. From a cardiovascular health point of view, westernisation within Greenland is associated with unfavourable lipid changes while migration to Denmark is associated with favourable lipid changes.
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low incidence of cardiovascular disease among the Inuit what is the evidence
Atherosclerosis, 2003Co-Authors: Peter Bjerregaard, Kue T Young, Robert A HegeleAbstract:Background: The notion that the incidence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is low among the Inuit subsisting on a traditional marine diet has attained axiomatic status. The scientific evidence for this is weak and rests on early clinical evidence and uncertain mortality statistics. Methods: We reviewed the literature and performed new analyses of the mortality statistics from Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Findings: The evidence for a low mortality from IHD among the Inuit is fragile and rests on unreliable mortality statistics. Mortality from stroke, however, is higher among the Inuit than among other western populations. Based on the examination of 15 candidate gene polymorphisms, the Inuit genetic architecture does not obviously explain putative differences in cardiovascular disease prevalence. Interpretation: The mortality from all cardiovascular diseases combined is not lower among the Inuit than in white comparison populations. If the mortality from IHD is low, it seems not to be associated with a low prevalence of general atherosclerosis. A decreasing trend in mortality from IHD in Inuit populations undergoing rapid westernization supports the need for a critical rethinking of cardiovascular epidemiology among the Inuit and the role of a marine diet in this population.
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Higher blood pressure among Inuit migrants in Denmark than among the Inuit in Greenland
Journal of epidemiology and community health, 2002Co-Authors: Peter Bjerregaard, Marit E. Jørgensen, P Lumholt, L Mosgaard, Knut Borch-johnsenAbstract:Study objective: Previous studies of blood pressure among the Inuit have given inconsistent results and studies comparing Inuit migrants with those living in traditional Inuit areas are absent. The purpose of the study was to compare the blood pressure of the Inuit in Greenland with that of Inuit migrants in Denmark. Design: Questionnaire, interview, and clinical examination in a cross sectional random population sample. Setting: A population based survey among Inuit in Greenland and Inuit migrants in Denmark. Participants: 2046 Inuit aged ≥18, 61% of the sample. Main results: Age and gender adjusted blood pressures were 117/72 mm Hg in Greenland and 127/81 mm Hg among the migrants (p
Knut Borch-johnsen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Serum lipids of Greenland Inuit in relation to Inuit genetic heritage, westernisation and migration
Atherosclerosis, 2004Co-Authors: Peter Bjerregaard, Marit E. Jørgensen, Knut Borch-johnsenAbstract:Background: The reputed low prevalence of cardiovascular disease among the Inuit has recently been challenged. Studies have shown total cholesterol among the Inuit to differ little from that of western populations and the association between cholesterol and atherosclerosis to be inconsistent. Methods: We studied serum lipids in a population survey among 2114 Inuit living in Denmark or in West Greenland. Blood tests were supplemented by structured interviews, anthropometry and measurements of blood pressure. Findings: Compared with the general population of Denmark, total cholesterol was higher among Inuit women, while HDL-cholesterol was higher among Inuit men. Triglyceride was lower among Inuit of both sexes. Cholesterol and triglyceride varied according to westernisation, diet, alcohol consumption and smoking. In a multivariate analysis, serum lipids also differed significantly between pure and genetically mixed Inuit: HDL-cholesterol was higher among the genetically pure Inuit, while among men triglyceride was lower and among women total and LDL-cholesterol were higher. Interpretation: Among the Inuit, serum lipids are significantly associated with westernisation and genetic heritage. The effect of westernisation is to some extent due to dietary changes. From a cardiovascular health point of view, westernisation within Greenland is associated with unfavourable lipid changes while migration to Denmark is associated with favourable lipid changes.
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Higher blood pressure among Inuit migrants in Denmark than among the Inuit in Greenland
Journal of epidemiology and community health, 2002Co-Authors: Peter Bjerregaard, Marit E. Jørgensen, P Lumholt, L Mosgaard, Knut Borch-johnsenAbstract:Study objective: Previous studies of blood pressure among the Inuit have given inconsistent results and studies comparing Inuit migrants with those living in traditional Inuit areas are absent. The purpose of the study was to compare the blood pressure of the Inuit in Greenland with that of Inuit migrants in Denmark. Design: Questionnaire, interview, and clinical examination in a cross sectional random population sample. Setting: A population based survey among Inuit in Greenland and Inuit migrants in Denmark. Participants: 2046 Inuit aged ≥18, 61% of the sample. Main results: Age and gender adjusted blood pressures were 117/72 mm Hg in Greenland and 127/81 mm Hg among the migrants (p
Barry Smit - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Community-based vulnerability assessment of Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, Canada to environmental and socio-economic changes
Regional Environmental Change, 2012Co-Authors: Mark Andrachuk, Barry SmitAbstract:Environmental change in the Canadian Arctic has implications for\nlivelihoods, food systems, infrastructure and Inuit culture. Although\nInuit communities are located in industrialized countries, their\nintegral connections with the natural environments contribute to\nsignificant exposures and sensitivities to changing conditions. This\npaper characterizes the vulnerability of Tuktoyaktuk in the western\nCanadian Arctic to climate change in the context of ongoing\nsocio-economic and environmental changes. Existing stresses in the\ncommunity influence infrastructure, livelihoods and wellbeing.\nStrategies for adapting to adverse conditions have largely been tactical\nand short term, rather than planned actions in anticipation of changes\nin climate. In light of projected intensification of climate change and\na proposed natural gas pipeline in the Tuktoyaktuk area, the community\nis expected to experience new stresses in the future. Future adaptation\nplanning and policy needs to enable community involvement in the\nprotection of important community attributes.
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climate change in the arctic current and future vulnerability in two Inuit communities in canada
The Geographical Journal, 2008Co-Authors: James D Ford, Barry Smit, Johanna Wandel, Mishak Allurut, Kik Shappa, Harry Ittusarjuat, Kevin QrunnutAbstract:Climate change is already occurring in the Arctic and the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment recently concluded that future climate change could be devastating for Inuit. This paper characterises vulnerability to climate change in two Inuit communities in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, focusing on the resource harvesting sector. In both communities, Inuit have demonstrated significant adaptability in the face of current changes in climatic conditions. This adaptability is facilitated by traditional Inuit knowledge, strong social networks, flexibility in resource use, and institutional support. Changing Inuit livelihoods, however, have undermined certain aspects of adaptive capacity and have resulted in emerging vulnerabilities. Global and regional climate projections indicate that climatic conditions which currently pose risks are expected to be negatively affected by future climate change. These projections are not without precedent and analysis of current vulnerability and identification of adaptation constraints by Inuit in the two communities indicate the continued importance of traditional coping mechanisms. The ability to draw on these coping mechanisms in light of future climate change, however, will be unequal and the research indicates that young Inuit and those without access to economic resources, in particular, are vulnerable.
Ardern Hulmebeaman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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specialized sledge dogs accompanied Inuit dispersal across the north american arctic
Proceedings of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2019Co-Authors: Carly Ameen, Tatiana R Feuerborn, Sarah K Brown, Anna Linderholm, Ardern Hulmebeaman, Ophelie Lebrasseur, Mikkelholger S SindingAbstract:Domestic dogs have been central to life in the North American Arctic for millennia. The ancestors of the Inuit were the first to introduce the widespread usage of dog sledge transportation technology to the Americas, but whether the Inuit adopted local Palaeo-Inuit dogs or introduced a new dog population to the region remains unknown. To test these hypotheses, we generated mitochondrial DNA and geometric morphometric data of skull and dental elements from a total of 922 North American Arctic dogs and wolves spanning over 4500 years. Our analyses revealed that dogs from Inuit sites dating from 2000 BP possess morphological and genetic signatures that distinguish them from earlier Palaeo-Inuit dogs, and identified a novel mitochondrial clade in eastern Siberia and Alaska. The genetic legacy of these Inuit dogs survives today in modern Arctic sledge dogs despite phenotypic differences between archaeological and modern Arctic dogs. Together, our data reveal that Inuit dogs derive from a secondary pre-contact migration of dogs distinct from Palaeo-Inuit dogs, and probably aided the Inuit expansion across the North American Arctic beginning around 1000 BP.
