Citation

Bjerregaard P, Young TK, Dewailly E, Ebbesson SO. Scand. J. Public Health 2004; 32(5): 390-395.

Affiliation

Centre for Health Research in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark. p.bjerregaard@dadlnet.dk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Associations of Public Health in the Nordic Countries Regions, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1080/14034940410028398

PMID

15513673

Abstract

The health of the Inuit has undergone substantial changes over the past five centuries, as a result of social, cultural, and economic changes brought about by interactions with Europeans. This process was accelerated considerably in the second half of the twentieth century. The incidence of infectious diseases has declined considerably but is still high compared with Western societies. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are on the increase, while accidents, suicides, violence, and substance abuse are of major importance for the pattern of ill health in most Inuit communities. Lifestyle changes, social change, and changes in society and the environment are major determinants of health among the Inuit.

Language: en