The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), which was formed in 1977, represents the interests of the Inuit of Canada, Alaska (USA), Greenland and Chukotka (Russia) supporting them in addressing challenges of circumpolar and international importance which are impacting on their lives. One of the top priorities for ICC is the health and wellbeing of circumpolar Inuit. Within the ICC network across the four Arctic countries, ICC Canada has been given responsibility for taking the lead on health. As a permanent participant of the Arctic Council, ICC is an active member of the AHHEG and is represented by ICC Canada. As part of its work program, AHHEG has agreed to undertake a review and analysis of the health care systems in circumpolar countries. The objective of this work is to compile a comparison of circumpolar health systems to highlight the different responses to similar challenges (e.g. low population density, reduced access, cultural and linguistic differences from the majority population in the country, impact of cold climate on morbidity and service delivery), and focus on the effects of differing governance and organization (e.g. autonomy of sub-states, role of sub-states in terms of health funding, administration and delivery, primary care models, and special arrangements for indigenous populations). The final paper will be published by the International Journal of Circumpolar Health.