Recent research on Sami health showcased

Abstract

This special issue of the Journal presents the results of recent health research among the Sami. The Sami people are an example of a group of indigenous people whose traditional territory traverses modern national borders. Today Sami can be found far beyond their traditional homeland (Sápmi) in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Sami health research has a long history, attracting an earlier generation of scientists whose main interests were focussed on racial typology, using methods that have now been largely discredited. Today researchers are interested in a diversity of topics on the health status, health determinants, and health care of Sami, as evidenced from this issue, and employing a variety of quantitative and qualitative tools. Because the Sami population is multinational, the benefit of circumpolar collaboration is undeniable. By editing this issue, Prof. Lund has brought together teams of researchers from the Nordic countries and Russia, many of whom are aspiring emergent new researchers, and showcased some of their work. As readers can see for themselves, the future of Sami health research is bright. Another encouraging development is the establishment of the Centre for Sami Health Research at the University of Tromsø, thus providing an institutional home for a concerted research program into Sami health. One could only wish that other Nordic countries will follow suit.