Our homes are where we sleep, where we eat nikipiaq, and where we spend time with loved ones. Healthy homes are the root of a healthy vibrant community. However, rural Alaska Native children have some of the highest rates of hospitalization for respiratory diseases in the world. One contributing factor to this epidemic is poor indoor air quality in their home environments; smoke, road dust, and mold and moisture intrusion can all have a negative impact on respiratory health, and put children at a high risk of chronic illness. Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat aims to pass along knowledge and tools you can use to create a healthy home environment by improving indoor air quality and minimizing indoor air pollutants.
North Slope Region
- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation – North Slope Borough Assessment (2017): https://www.ahfc.us/files/4015/1510/4574/Final_-_North_Slope_Borough_Summary.pdf
- Iḷisaġvik College – Technical assistance for home maintenance training: http://www.north-slope.org/assets/images/uploads/Illisagvik_MO_training_in_village.pdf
Statewide
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation – Division of Air Quality: http://dec.alaska.gov/air.aspx
- Alaska Dispatch News – “Unhealthy air in rural Alaska homes targeted in tribal program” (2017): https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2017/08/06/unhealthy-air-in-rural-alaska-homes-targeted-in-tribal-program/
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium – Air & Healthy Homes program: https://anthc.org/what-we-do/community-environment-and-health/healthy-homes/
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – Arctic Investigations Program: https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dpei/aip/index.html
- Cold Climate Change Housing Research Center – Healthy Homes in Alaska: http://www.cchrc.org/healthy-homes-alaska
International
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute – Dr. Kovesi: http://www.cheori.org/en/researchers?id=49
- Arctic Council – Sustainable Development Working Group: Arctic Human Health Reports: http://www.sdwg.org/project/project-reports-from-completed-sdwg-projects-1998-to-2015/
- Arctic Council – Sustainable Development Working Group: Results of an Arctic Council Survey on Water and Sanitation Services in the Arctic (2017): http://www.sdwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/SDWG-WASH-Survey-Summary.pdf
- Arctic Council – Sustainable Development Working Group: Survey of Living Conditions in the Arctic Report (2015): http://www.sdwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SliCA-2015.pdf
Housing
Availability and high quality housing in the North Slope is important to the well-being and health of families. In order to have a vibrant community, homes must be affordable, Arctic designed and functional for families to have a safe environment. Yet, North Slope houses are often overcrowded. Housing is a complex problem due to a combination of factors including land ownership, availability, affordability, and overcrowded conditions. Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat provides knowledge and tools you can use to understand the North Slope housing environment.
North Slope Region
- Arctic Sounder – “Arctic rife with housing problems” (2018): http://www.thearcticsounder.com/article/1806arctic_rife_with_housing_problems
- Comprehensive Plans (each community has a housing strategies section): http://www.north-slope.org/your-government/comprehensive-plan
- Guide to buying a home pamphlet: http://www.north-slope.org/assets/images/uploads/housing_pamphlet_final3_2014.pdf
- Health indicators in the North Slope (discusses housing living conditions on page 23): http://www.north-slope.org/assets/images/uploads/NSB_Indicators_Report_August_4_printable_FINAL.pdf
- Housing Solutions Group: http://www.north-slope.org/departments/administration-finance/housing-solution-group
- Tagiugmiullu Nunamiullu Housing Authority: http://www.tnha.info/
Statewide
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium – “Portable Alternative Sanitation System with TCC annual convention” (2018): https://anthc.org/news/anthc-environmental-health-and-engineering-staff-share-portable-alternative-sanitation-system-with-tcc-annual-convention/
- Cold Climate Housing Research Center – North Slope Specific Projects: http://www.cchrc.org/search?search_api_views_fulltext=North+Slope
International
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (Canada) – National Housing Strategy Engagement Process Reports: https://www.itk.ca/national-housing-strategy-submission/
- Northwest Territories Housing Corporation – Building for the Future: http://nwthc.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/building_for_the_future.pdf