Circumpolar Health Observatory | An international collaborative health information system serving the northern regions of all circumpolar countries

A World of Statistics

Collecting and analysing data from every part of the circumpolar world

Monitoring Trends

Bringing qualitative and quantitative evidence to bear on health issues and problems

Visualize the Data

Browse population health indicators through interactive thematic maps

A Circumpolar Perspective

Serving the diverse peoples of the Arctic

Introducing CircHOB

The Circumpolar Health Observatory (CircHOB) is an international collaborative health information system, involved in systematic, standardized, and consistent data collection and analysis. In addition to aggregating online and print resources, CircHOB is population-based, and produces data for all northern regions in all circumpolar countries.

CircHOB’s purpose is to monitor trends and patterns in health status, health determinants, and health care, provides qualitative and quantitative evidence for planning and evaluation of health programs and services. It is on-going and sustainable with periodic updates.

CircHOB is a project proposed by the Arctic Human Health Expert Group and authorized by the Arctic Council at its Senior Arctic Officials meeting in May 2010. In January 2011, CircHOB was also accepted as a Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) task. Initial funding for CircHOB was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Health Canada

Data Briefs

Three types of publications are generated by CircHOB researchers using CircHOB data.

1. Reports:

CircHOB 2000-2014 Report:

a summary report covering the 15-year period 2000-2014 providing maps, data tables and graphs on the major trends and patterns of the health of circumpolar regions and populations.

Download CircHOB 2000-2014 Report

2. Data Briefs:

Three Data Briefs were published in 2010 and 2010 by the International Journal of Circumpolar Health.

Introduction and population [2010-1]

2010-1-Population

Health expenditures [2010:2]

2010-2-Health expenditures

Infectious Diseases [2011:1]

2011-1-Infectious diseases

3. Journal Articles:

The Data Brief series was discontinued and replaced by periodic journal articles describing the datasets available in CircHOB.

Observing the Changing Health of Circumpolar Peoples. Young et al., 2015.

2015 Arctic_Young et al_observing health

Suicide in circumpolar regions: an introduction and overview. Young et al., 2015.

2015 IJCH_Young et al_suicide

Cancer among circumpolar populations: an emerging public health concern. Young et al., 2016.

2016 IJCH_Young et al_cancer

Comparing health care workforce in circumpolar regions: patterns, trends and challenges. Young et al., 2018.

2018 IJCH_Young et al_health workforce

Towards estimating the indigenous population in circumpolar regions. Young & Bjerregaard, 2019.

2019 IJCH_Young and Bjerregaard_Indigenous populations

The Observatory is located and operates out of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Data Centre in Yellowknife, NT. First of its kind in the Canadian North, the data centre includes a Statistics Canada Research Data Centre, circumpolar health library, and a searchable and interactive repository of both print and electronic resources drawn from across the circumpolar world.

3506 McDonald Drive
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A2H1 Canada
Tel: +1.867.873.9337 | Fax: +1.867.873.9338