HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT IN GREENLAND AND OTHER CIRCUMPOLAR AREAS

Before World War II, the mortality pattern in the Arctic was character ized by very high mortality due to infectious diseases, in particular tuberculosis, and to injuries. Life expectancy was low and chronic dis eases such as cancer and heart disease were rare. Improved living cond itions and health services have drastically altered health conditions since then. The circumpolar population groups are small and scattered, and the burden of pathogenic factors is high. The impact of environme ntal contaminants is therefore difficult to study epidemiologically. I n the absence of local industrial sources of pollution, mercury and or ganochlorines in the traditional diet are presently the most serious e nvironmental threats to human health in Greenland. Although we observe no effects on human health at present, the situation is potentially s erious and should be closely monitored.