Lifeway Transitions under Modernization: Blood Pressure Variation Among Indigenous Siberian Reindeer Herders

• Main Author: Kramer, Jack
• Other Authors: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Anthropology, Sorensen, Mark
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Evenki; Yakut; Siberia
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.17615/yc4j-k679; https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/downloads/b27745635?file=thumbnail; https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/downloads/b27745635

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, indigenous Siberians have undergone dramatic social and economic transitions, leading to a decline in the health and wellbeing of native populations, including high rates of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. The focus of this study was to examine the blood pressure variation among men and women of the Eveny, Evenki, and Yakut, indigenous groups in Siberia who are experiencing modernization and culture change. There were no significant differences in mean blood pressure values between men and women, but men had a higher prevalence of hypertension. Blood pressure increased with age and adiposity (BMI). For women, age, BMI, and socioeconomic factors of education level and household income were found to be particularly significant for describing blood pressure variation. Age and education level were the only significant factors in explaining variation among men. This suggests that psychosocial stress due to the pressures of modernization may be contributing to elevated blood pressure among indigenous Siberians, particularly women. The findings demonstrate the complexity of the health consequences of modernization and culture change for indigenous populations in Siberia and the need for further research. Bachelor of Arts