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Are Greenlandic children healthy?

The health and well-being of children in Greenland are frequently debated, but there is a lack of systematic evidence that assess the overall health status of children and the social determinants influencing their health. It is well-documented that there is a high prevalence of vulnerable children and families with limited resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over one-third of adolescents have been exposed to adverse childhood conditions such as alcohol problems, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. However, knowledge about children's health, especially for those under 11 years old, remains limited. The circumstances many vulnerable children grow up in can increase the risk of negative health outcomes later in life, placing a significant burden on both society and Greenland's healthcare system. Previous studies based on registry data have primarily focused on specific health outcomes such as vaccination coverage, dental hygiene, infant mortality, and weight but fail to examine life-course trajectories or geographic and temporal trends. Globally, longitudinal studies have contributed significantly to understanding children's health.

 

Purpose

This research project aims to promote equal opportunities for a healthy life for all children in Greenland by integrating data on children's health across sectors (healthcare, municipalities, the police, and Statistics Greenland) to examine the impact of social determinants and trauma on children's health over time.

 

Method

The project will employ epidemiological methods and cross-sectoral data sources, including electronic medical records from the healthcare system, socioeconomic data from Statistics Greenland, municipal data on children's living conditions, and police records on violence and abuse. Data from up to 31,894 children born between 1989 and 2022 will be analyzed. The analysis will incorporate descriptive methods and multivariable models to explore the relationship between social factors, trauma, and health. Advanced statistical methods, such as generalized mixed models, will be used to analyze children’s life trajectories.

 

Project period

The project will run from January 2025 to January 2028. Results will be published as peer-reviewed articles.


Collaboration

The project team will collaborate with Statistics Greenland, the Greenlandic Authority of Social Services, the healthcare system, municipalities, and the police to ensure access to and accurate interpretation of data. The project is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF)..

 

The project is structured as a collaboration between a PhD project and a postdoctoral project. The PhD project will focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, while the postdoctoral project examines children aged 2–18 years.  

Last Updated 09.12.2024