What is AHHI?

Arctic Human Health Initiative

The International Polar Year (IPY) provides the opportunity to highlight human health issues of northern communities. The Arctic Human Health Initiative will advance and expand the joint research agenda of the Arctic Council, an eight nation intergovernmental forum for sustainable development and environmental protection (www.arctic-council.org), and the International Union for Circumpolar Health (www.iuch.org). The Steering Committee of the AHHI will coordinate research in the areas of infectious diseases, the effects of anthropogenic pollution and climate change on human health, and telehealth innovations.

What is IPY 2007-2008?

The IPY, an intensive two year multidisciplinary program of collaborative international science, research, and education, is focused on the Arctic and Antarctic regions. (www.ipy.org)

The AHHI target areas are 1) infectious disease; 2) the effects of anthropogenic pollution, UV radiation, and climate variability on human health; and 3) telehealth innovations. Specifically, the leaders of these research programs will build on their years of circumpolar collaboration to extend the International Circumpolar Surveillance network of hospitals and public health facilities and include additional infectious diseases of concern. The AHHI Steering Group and its partners will focus on the promotion of good health for Arctic residents and better integration of the findings of Arctic health research through outreach programs and public education.

The First International Polar Year was held 1881-1884

The first International Polar Year started in 1881. It was Inspired by Austrian explorer Carl Weyprecht. This was the first series of coordinated international expeditions to Polar Regions ever undertaken. The focus was on meteorology and geophysics.

In 1882-1883

12 countries were involved.
15 expeditions were undertaken: 13 in the Arctic and two in Antarctica
the United States established the Point Barrow research station

Second International Polar Year 1932-1933

In 1932-1933, the second IPY was proposed and promoted by the International Meteorological Organization. Highlights included:

the investigate the global implications of the newly discovered "Jet Stream"
40 nations participated
advances made in meteorology, magnetism, atmospheric science, and in the "mapping" of ionospheric phenomena that advanced radioscience and technology
40 permanent observation stations were established in the Arctic
the U.S. conducted the second Byrd Antarctic expedition, creating the first research station inland from Antarctica's coast

The IPY Legacy grows during the third IPY 1957-1958

By the conclusion:

67 nations participating
the first satellites were being launched with anticipation of great strides in research gathering
research Stations were established in Antarctica
trans Antarctic crossing was completed and the entire Antarctic continent dedicated to science

The International Polar Year is celebrated only about once every 50 years. AHHI is a new project introduced during this IPY to highlight human health issues of northern communities.

International Polar Year 2007-2009

Objectives for the current IPY include:

use the vantage point of the polar regions to carry out an intensive and internationally coordinated burst of high quality, important research activities and observations that would not otherwise occur
lay the foundation for major scientific advances in knowledge and understanding of the nature and behavior of the polar regions and their role in the functioning of the planet
leave a legacy of observational sites, facilities, and systems to support ongoing polar research and monitoring
strengthen and enhance international collaboration and co-operation in polar regions research and monitoring
address both polar regions and their global interactions
link researchers across different fields to address questions and issues lying beyond the scope of individual disciplines
collect a broad-ranging set of samples, data, and information regarding the state and behavior of the polar regions to provide a reference for comparison with the future and the past
ensure data collected under the IPY are made available in an open and timely manner
intensify the recovery of relevant historical data and ensure that these also are made openly available
attract, engage, and develop a new generation of polar researchers, engineers, and logistics experts
optimize exploitation of available polar observing systems, logistical assets, and infrastructure
develop and embrace new technological and logistical capabilities
build on existing and potential new funding flows
engage the awareness, interest, and understanding of school children, the general public, and decision-makers worldwide to the purpose and value of polar research and monitoring