Pages 25-28 in G. Pétursdóttir et al., eds. Circumpolar Health 93. Proceedings of the 9th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Reykjavík, Iceland, June 20-25, 1993. Arctic Medical Research. 1994;53(Suppl.2)
Pages 25-28 in G. Pétursdóttir et al., eds. Circumpolar Health 93. Proceedings of the 9th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Reykjavík, Iceland, June 20-25, 1993. Arctic Medical Research. 1994;53(Suppl.2)
The Research and Development Committee of Northern Medical Services is a unique combination of representatives of northern communities, Tribal Councils, health practitioners, academic researchers, and federal and provincial governments. The goals and objectives of this Committee are based on respect of the culture and concern of northern residents, most of whom are of aboriginal descent. The committee defines "research and development" as producing information to be used in planning or evaluating ways to increase health. The strengths of the Committee lie in the new links between northern communities, the university, and governments, the trust and openness among Committee members, and its ability to span political and cultural barriers to investigate health issues. Its achievements have been in the areas of health and service needs assessment and advocacy, disease epidemiology, and improved access to research findings by the communities in the region.