Food and water security indicators in an arctic health context : a report by the AHHEG/SDWG, and the AMAP/HHAG during the Swedish chairmanship of the Arctic Council 2011-2013

• Main Authors: Nilsson, Lena Maria, Evengård, Birgitta
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Umeå universitet, Näringsforskning 2013
• Subjects: food security; water security; indicators; Arctic; indigenous people; Public Health; Global Health; Social Medicine and Epidemiology; Folkhälsovetenskap; global hälsa; socialmedicin och epidemiologi; AMAP; Arctic Council; Food security
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-63947

The aim of this report is to provide a basis for indicator selection that is relevant for food and water security in the circumpolar areas and which could be used in international collaborations of surveillance in the Arctic. Indicators used in scientific papers and in official statistics from all eight countries involved have been considered. We found 21 potential indicators of food and water security that could be used for further initiatives in an Arctic health context. During an international workshop 12 of these indicators of food security (n=6) and water security (n=6) were promoted, 5 were considered in need of further development and 4 were rejected. Indicators considered to be usable from an Arctic health perspective differed from indicators in focus in international FAO discussions on food and water security. As a first step, focusing on data already available in most Arctic countries, we suggest a joint effort focusing on: Healthy weight Self estimated proportion of traditional food in diet (SLiCA questionnaire can be used as baseline for indigenous people) Presence of hunter/fisher/collector/herder in family/household Cost of a nutritious food basket in relation to income Food borne diseases – incidence rates and seroprevalence in human Food related contaminants Per capita renewable water Accessibility of running water (SLiCA data can be used as baseline for indigenous people) Waterborne diseases – incidence rates and seroprevalence in human Water related contaminants Authorized water quality assurance Water safety plans In a second phase selected indicators of interest should be further developed by organized expert groups. An international joint effort to collect data from the Arctic nations and regions should then be performed, with the aim to reduce inequality and improve the service for all Arctic people. Continuing collaborations between the two health groups in the Arctic Council, especially concerning food related contaminants, use of existing biobanks, and future joint biosampling was ...