Reflections from ICCH18: Circumpolar Health and Lessons for Latin America

The 18th International Congress on Circumpolar Health (ICCH18), held in Halifax, Canada,

brought together community leaders, academics, health representatives, and international

experts to discuss challenges and solutions in circumpolar regions. This event not only shed

light on the needs of these communities but also offered valuable lessons that could inspire

strategies in other areas, such as Latin America. MSEG had the opportunity to participate in the congress, where key themes such as data sovereignty, intersectoral action, and culturally

safe approaches were highlighted as transformative elements for health systems in diverse

contexts.

Key Themes of the Congress

1. Resilience, Autonomy, and Cultural Connection

The inaugural session emphasized the importance of community resilience and cultural

connection as pillars for improving health and well-being. Arnârak Patricia Bloch highlighted

that integrating cultural values and strengthening autonomy can transform health systems,

empowering communities to tackle their challenges with confidence and self-sustaining

resources.

2. Governance and Participatory Research Methods

Community governance and participatory research methods were central topics. Cases like

Arctic cancer registries and the community-led H. pylori study by First Nations communities

demonstrated how including local populations in data collection and analysis fosters trust,

relevance, and better public health outcomes.

3. Global Health and Human Security

The relationship between infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis C, and COVID-19 and climate change was a recurring theme. Panel discussions underscored how the effects of climate change exacerbate health issues in remote communities, emphasizing the need for integrated policies that combine public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development.

4. Family and Community Well-Being

Programs such as Healing by Talking, focused on community healing, and suicide prevention

strategies in Inuit communities highlighted the importance of addressing mental health and

family well-being from a holistic approach that considers the cultural and social needs of the

communities involved.

Healthcare Delivery in the Northwest Territories (NWT)

An exemplary model discussed at the congress was the decentralized and integrated healthcare system implemented in the Northwest Territories (NWT) of Canada. This model encompasses a network of key organizations, including:

-Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA).

-Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA).

-Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency.

-Department of Health and Social Services.

-Healthcare Infrastructure in the NWT

-Two accredited hospitals: Stanton Territorial Hospital (Yellowknife) and Inuvik Regional Hospital (Inuvik).

-Primary care clinics and walk-in consultation services in Yellowknife.

-Health centers in smaller communities and health cabins in remote areas.

-A 24/7 health advisory line (811) for non-urgent consultations.

This model not only prioritizes accessibility but also strengthens primary care as the foundation of the health system, serving as an inspiring example for rural and remote regions worldwide.

Response to the Syphilis Outbreak in the NWT

The syphilis outbreak in the Northwest Territories, presented by Caroline Newberry,

demonstrated the importance of a comprehensive, data-driven response. Strategies included:

-Effective prevention and diagnostic methods.

-Community education programs to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

-Collaboration between communities and health authorities for sustained action.

-This experience underscores how data combined with educational programs and community participation can effectively contain outbreaks of communicable diseases.

Cultural Connection and Respect for Indigenous Elders

Another crucial point was the need to ensure that Indigenous elders can remain in their

communities, respecting their values and traditions. This approach guarantees:

- Respect and dignity in their care.

- Cultural connection, strengthening community identity.

- Equity in access to services.

- Programs focused on dignified aging not only protect the rights of elders but also

preserve the cultural wealth of their communities, providing a model that can be

adapted globally.

Head Circumference Measurements in Inuit Children in Nunavut

During ICCH18, a study on head circumference measurements in Inuit children highlighted how international standards, such as those from the World Health Organization (WHO), do not always accurately reflect the physical characteristics of specific populations. The findings

emphasized the need to develop local references tailored to the cultural and physical contexts of these communities. This approach improves the accuracy of diagnosing and monitoring child development while respecting the unique biological and cultural traits of Inuit populations.

Establishing specific standards for these communities sets a precedent for other regions facing similar challenges with globally standardized but locally inadequate health indicators.

Mapping of Genetic Diseases and Molecular Characterization in Canada

Another innovative initiative presented during the congress was genetic mapping to identify

rare diseases in specific communities, led by members of the Silent Genomes Project. Some

highlighted conditions included:

- Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

- Carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency.

- Osteogenesis imperfecta type VII.

- Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

Genetic mapping is essential to understanding the distribution of these diseases and improving both diagnosis and treatment. This approach could be adapted in Latin America, where many rare genetic conditions remain undocumented.

Data Sovereignty in First Nations Communities: Experiences and Processes

A recurring theme at ICCH18 was data sovereignty in First Nations communities in Manitoba,

particularly among Blackfoot communities. These communities have developed systems that

prioritize self-determination and ensure that the data collected reflects their cultural values and local priorities.

Process for Developing Black Foot Nation-Based Health Indicators

This inclusive and collaborative process involves the following steps:

- Engage community governance structures and protocols.

- Organize focus groups or in-person community meetings.

- Formulate strength-based questions rather than deficit-focused ones.

- Incorporate Indigenous languages to ensure cultural relevance.

- Collect stories and narratives to complement quantitative data.

- Analyze the data with Nation analysts to align interpretations with community values.

- Create clear and accessible visualizations to share results.

- This approach reinforces trust, autonomy, and cultural relevance in decision-making

processes.

Key Elements of Intersectoral Action

The congress emphasized that addressing health challenges requires intersectoral solutions.

Key components included:

- Integration of Indigenous and Western Knowledge (Two-Eyed Seeing): Combining

traditional and scientific knowledge for more inclusive solutions.

- Data for Equity: Designing tools and registries that reflect local priorities.

- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engaging professionals from various sectors to tackle

problems from multiple perspectives.

- Capacity Building and Mentorship: Strengthening skills within Indigenous communities

to ensure sustainable initiatives.

- Climate Change and Health: Designing policies that integrate public health,

environmental sustainability, and economic development.

Lessons for Latin America

ICCH18 provides an inspiring model for Latin America, where Indigenous and rural communities face similar challenges. Data sovereignty principles can ensure that decisions reflect local priorities, while intersectoral approaches strengthen the ability to address complex issues such as climate change and health inequities.

Latin America could adapt tools like Nation-based health indicators, respecting languages,

cultures, and local values. Furthermore, the exchange of ancestral knowledge with scientific

approaches can transform health systems into sustainable, inclusive, and equitable structures.

Conclusion

ICCH18 demonstrated that community-led, culturally safe, and intersectoral approaches are

essential to overcoming health challenges in diverse contexts. Experiences from Indigenous

communities in the Arctic Circle and First Nations in western and northern Canada—centered on data sovereignty and community collaboration—offer a valuable model for adaptation in Latin America to promote equity, self-determination, and sustainability.

At MSEG, we commit to disseminating these circumpolar learnings to inform models that

address the needs of the global south. By promoting collaborative, culturally relevant, and

sustainable solutions, we aim to contribute to the development of resilient health systems that benefit the most vulnerable communities.