Experiences on Circumpolar Health

Abstract

Some years ago, the name of this journal was Arctic Medicine, but it was changed to Circumpolar Health. The latter term is wider and includes all the subjects related to human well-being in these areas. My interest in arctic medicine, or circumpolar health, originates from childhood and, later, from my medical studies. I grew up in the city of Oulu in the 40’s and 5’s and experienced great changes in temperature and sun-light during the seasons. The city is located close to the 65th latitude, at which Fairbanks, Big Bear Lake, Amadjuak Lake and Ilulissat are also approximately located. In winter-time, we used to ski in the surroundings and, often, also camp overnight in cold summer cottages and, sometimes, in tents. After the Second World War, apartments usually had no central heating systems, and hence cold was a constant visitor in our rooms. Urine was often frozen in the toilet in the morning. When winter was changing to spring, our joy rose as the snow melted and migratory birds flew back to us. The sun-light got stronger fast and it was difficult to get to sleep in the evening, and an early wake-up in the morning was a general rule rather than an exception. The brightest place I knew was the small hill on the southern end of the Oulu River. There were no trees and high buildings and everything was as in an over-exposed film.