The Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
Alaska's rural and multi-cultural environment calls for multidisciplinary approaches to defining health problems and identifying appropriate solutions. The Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies (ICHS) was established by the Alaska Legislature in 1988 to improve the health of peoples of Alaska and other circumpolar areas through instruction, information services, and basic and applied research in health and medicine.
Our applied research focus supports public health planning and provides opportunities for students to gain research experience. Our faculty and staff have expertise in epidemiologic study design, quantitative and qualitative analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), community engagement, evaluation, and facilitation.
NEWS & Stories
The UAA Hunger and Homelessness Support Network (HHSN) was created to identify and combat housing insecurities that students face. UAA Alumni and current Academic Advisor Jennifer Spencer is one of the three people serving as HHSN Chair. She explains how she uses her personal experiences with homelessness to help find solutions for students.
Ever since she was six years old, Panikaa Teeple, B.S.W. Social Work ’21, knew that spreading love was her life’s purpose. Next year, Teeple will have the opportunity to spread love internationally as UAA’s latest recipient of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant, which provides students in more than 140 countries the opportunity to pursue graduate study and research abroad.
When human services and social work alumna Cass Pook says she has always been a helper, she’s not just referring to her nature as an empathetic and compassionate listener. “Culturally, it's in my DNA to be a helper,” said Pook. “Looking back on it throughout history, 100 or 200 years ago I would have been doing the same thing. I was born to be a social worker.”
UAA alumna and associate professor Holly Martinson hopes the new Biomed U-RISE program "lights a fire" in Alaska's research community by empowering undergraduate students with lab experience, mentorship and financial assistance. Martinson and co-PI, Professor Tracey Burke, welcomed the first cohort this academic year and will soon open applications for cohort two.
Restorative justice is a form of resolution that allows victims of crimes to work with the criminal justice system to address and correct the harm caused. UAA’s Ingrid Johnson from the Justice Center and Rei Shimizu from the School of Social Work spoke to the Alaska Beacon about how restorative justice can be used in cases of domestic violence.
Upcoming Events
Contact Us:
Phone: 907-786-6545
Fax: 907-786-6572
Email: uaa_ichs@alaska.edu
Mailing Address:
The Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
UAA Professional Studies Building
3211 Providence Dr., PSB 206
Anchorage, AK 99508
