The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. It is among the world’s oldest and best-known general medical journals. It was founded in 1823 by Thomas Wakley, an English surgeon who named it after the surgical instrument called a lancet. Over the past two centuries, The Lancet has sought to address urgent topics in our society, initiate debate, put science into context, and influence decision makers around the world.
The Lancet has also developed several “commissions” that shed light on key issues. They collaborate with an international community of researchers, public health experts and policy makers to address the most pressing issues in global health, to advance the right to health, health equity, and social justice.
The Lancet Commission on Arctic Health is such an initiative. Preliminary meetings to create the commission began the fall of 2019, in Dartmouth, New Hampshire. The first full commission meeting took place in February 2020. Subsequent gatherings have been virtual due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The commission has a nine-member Executive Committee, and 21 Commissioners. ICC Chair Dalee Sambo Dorough is a Co-Chair, along with Lisa Adam of Dartmouth College. Other executive committee members include: Sheila Watt-Cloutier, and ICC Canada Health Officer Selma Ford. Inuit are well represented on the overall commission as well.
The Lancet Commission on Arctic Health. will provide a “golden microphone” through which we can start to share stories and lessons about the health and wellness of Arctic Indigenous Peoples from an Indigenous perspective with a global audience.
ICC is contributing to the report, which will present the status of health and wellbeing of Arctic Indigenous Peoples in an historic and contemporary context. ICC will contribute to addressing the history of colonization in the report Introduction. The commission will also provide perspectives on Indigenous People’s conception of social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, as well as the importance of family, community and the collective nature of Indigenous peoples. Our perspectives will be included in the report’s conclusions and recommendations.
The Lancet is online at: https://www.thelancet.com/