The International Polar Year (IPY) represents a unique opportunity to focus world attention on Arctic human health and to further stimulate circumpolar cooperation on emerging Arctic human health concerns. The Arctic Human Health Initiative (AHHI) isan Arctic Council IPY initiative that aims to build and expand on existing Arctic Council and International Union for Circumpolar Health?s human health research activities. The human health legacy of the IPY will be increased visibility of the human health concerns of arctic communities, revitalization of cooperative arctic human health research focused on those concerns, the development of health policies based on research findings, and thesubsequent implementation of appropriate interventions, prevention and control measures at the community level.