Arctic Health Research Network

AHRN is the first Canadian tri-territorial health research network linking northern regions. The network includes health research centers based in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. To work towards its mandate to improve health outcomes through research, this network is and must be a community driven, northern lead, health and wellness research network that facilitates the identification and action on health research priorities in the three territories.

The vision for the network includes participation in health research that values both traditional knowledge and western sciences and to address health concerns, create healthy environments, and improve the health of persons in the three territories. It ensures best practices in health research through participation in health research activities, data management, dissemination of findings, training of health researchers, and knowledge translation to ensure transfer of findings to policy, practice and community programming.

Why is Northern involvement in health research important?

Our health is impacted by a number of issues including addictions, mental health issues, life circumstances, lifestyle choices, access to health services and poverty. Northern involvement in health research is necessary to ensure the inequities are addressed and that best health practices are shared between communities to improve clinical care, policies and community health programs. Ultimately this will improve the health of northern communities and people in need.

Communities in the north have an interest in participating in health research to better understand risk factors, diseases and illness in their communities. There is a strong desire to prioritize and research health issues that are important to communities.

Why is AHRN needed?

Health research programs now exist that promote community leadership, training and local ownership of health research initiatives in Canada. The goal of the Arctic Health Research Network is to work with communities to develop health research priorities to share with researchers coming North, as well as work with Northern training programs that will allow northerners to participate in the development of health research projects that can be run in communities by community members.