Program

Description of Workshops/Seminars/Labs

Introduction to Circumpolar Health 

An overview of circumpolar health - What are the demographic, health and socioeconomic characteristics of the diverse population living in the Arctic? What are the most critical health issues in the face of climate change and intensive resource development?

Teacher: Kue Young, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Date: August 3^th

Fundamentals of Environmental Epidemiology

The basic concepts of environmental epidemiology – In what ways is environmental epidemiology different from other branches of epidemiology? What are some of the tools and methods available to address uniquely environmental health issues?

Teacher: Faith Davis, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Date: August 3^th

Microbial Quality of Water 

An introduction to the quantitative microbial risk assessment of water and a discussion on the relationships between water use, performance of water delivery systems, resource recovery (water, energy, fertilizers) to ecosystem health and living conditions.

Teacher: Nick Ashbolt, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Date: August 4^th

Contaminants in the Arctic

What are the major contaminants in the Arctic environment and what is known about their health effects? How do these contaminants get to the Arctic and what are some of the ways to mitigate their impact on the population?

Teacher: Torkjel Sandanger and Erik Anda, University of Tromsø – the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Date: August 4^th

Radiation and Health

An introduction to the health effects of radiation and the tools to assess exposure and dose. Dr. Davis will draw on her cohort study of radiation effects on cancer incidence in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia funded by the US Department of Energy.

Teacher: Faith Davis, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Date: August 4^th

Methods Lab (I): Spatial Analysis

An introduction to the use of mapping tools to depict the complex relationships between human health, place and the environment. Students will learn how to use Geographic Information System software through a series of hands-on computer labs. 

Teacher: Philippe Amstislavski, University of Alaska Anchorage, USA
Date: August 4^th, August 5^th, August 6^th

Environmental Genomics

An introduction to the basic concepts of environmental genomics, gene-environment interactions, and how they can be applied to study the issues of contaminants in the Arctic

Teacher: Laurie Chan, University of Ottawa, Canada
Date: August 6^th

Health Impact Assessment 

An introduction to the why and how of HIA, an increasing important, and at times controversial, topic in the light of rapid resource development in the Arctic. The lessons learned from recent examples from Alaska will be discussed.

Teacher: Rhonda Johnson, University of Alaska Anchorage, USA
Date: August 6^th

Methods Lab (II): Cancer Cluster Investigations 

Communities, clusters, and communication: a ‘how to’ guide for the design and execution of epidemiological investigations into potential cancer clusters. Examples will be discussed and students will apply investigation concepts in mock scenarios.

Teacher: Amy Colquhoun, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Date: August 6^th

Public Panel Discussion

This public event will be held at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife. Three panelists representing government, academe and the Aboriginal community will present briefly (10-15 minutes each) their perspectives on environmental health and public policy, followed by discussion by students and faculty from the Summer School and members of the general public.

Panelists:

• Dr. Kami Kandola, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Serivces
• Dr. Nick Ashbolt, Professor and AIHS Translational Health Chair, School of Public Health, University of Alberta