HALDI – Health and living conditions in Jokkmokk Municipality

The aim of the project is to establish the health status of the Sami and Swedish populations in the municipality of Jokkmokk in Sápmi (Lapland), Sweden.

Alarming reports of high rates of suicide, depression and discrimination reveal a pressing need to acquire basic health data on the Sami population, and to identify and monitor trends and tendencies in the health of the population over time.

The project will develop investigative methods and carry out studies under an international disciplinary program called HALDI (Health and Living Conditions, Sápmi, Sweden) in collaboration with the University of Tromsø (Norway), Jokkmokk Health Center, Region Norrbotten, the Sami Parliament of Sweden, and the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

The researchers will be using the same investigative methods as the Norwegian SAMINOR study. This will be the first time that information on health outcomes has been produced for a single indigenous people in two countries.

In addition to producing scientific data, HALDI will also be reporting results to participating municipalities, thereby helping local, regional and national decision makers in their efforts to shape suitable health initiatives.

The long-term goal is to establish a recurring study that enables us to identify and monitor trends and tendencies over time.