The International Union for Circumpolar Health (IUCH) is an international non-governmental organization, with members, adhering bodies and affiliates throughout the circumpolar regions.  There has been a long-standing need for the exchange of medical knowledge, as well as the results of recent research and demonstrated solutions to problems for the benefit of humankind. Arctic communities, with the general and specific medical and health problems found in this region, obviously share this need with the rest of the world. The health problems and needs of northern peoples has become the focus of the only organization of its kind dedicated to the health problems of the circumpolar regions — the International Union for Circumpolar Health.

The circumpolar health movement began in the 1960's in order to bring together medical scientists, health care specialists, health administrators, and indigenous peoples of the Far North. The purpose of these efforts was, and still is, to share research findings and program successes that are unique to these regions of the world in order to reduce death, disease, and disability, and to improve the quality of life for all those living in the North. As a result of the circumpolar movement, a unique International Congress series was developed. This series has grown into the premier international gathering of arctic health professionals.

In 1981, the IUCH was formally established as a unique entity at the 5th International Congress on Circumpolar Health held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The IUCH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Alaska. Thus the IUCH is a multilateral scientific union, which strives to contribute to the growing body of scientific medical and public health research data for the circumpolar regions and globally.

In order to support its members and affiliates, and the scientific and indigenous communities at large, the IUCH has clearly established working groups that concentrate on specific health problems of importance to circumpolar populations, maintains several publications and supports international efforts in Telemedicine and Health Informatics.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the IUCH are to:

The International Union for Circumpolar Health logo tells a lot about us. There are five Adhering bodies in the IUCH which are represented by the five human figures. The loop with a line through the intersection is a Saami traditional healing symbol. By linking the five adhering bodies on the polar projection the logo also resembles the Inuit blanket toss that requires “pulling together” and coordinated teamwork. So there is also very strong link to the indigenous peoples of the Arctic in our logo.