Health is a central theme for human well-being. The increase of contaminants in the Arctic has been documented for many years, and continues to rise. How PCBs, PAHs, mercury and other pollutants are affecting human health is only beginning to be understood. Another increasing threat to human health is the transference of new diseases from animal populations into humans, which is regarded as having the highest potential to disrupt human societies. Many of these diseases will originate in the tropics but spread over the world by migrating humans and animals. The Arctic is changing rapidly and will become more and more open to diseases which formerly were not occurring in this area. In the case of Avian Influenza, the Arctic has been described as a meeting point for different bird populations and a potential hub for vectors spreading the disease over the entire northern hemisphere. All these arguments necessitate the study of diseases in arctic wildlife and humans. These studies are complex, because diseases are often species specific, susceptibility differs between individuals and negative consequences of diseases will disappear through selection: the survival of the fittest. In this session, the consequences of diseases for arctic animals will be discussed, along with expected changes in the near future and the associated risks to human well-being.
Risks to Human Health from a changing Arctic