Bulletin of Semashko National Research Institute of Public HealthBulletin of Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health2415-84102415-8429FSSBI «N.A. Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health»320110.69541/NRIPH.2026.02.003Научная статьяOrganization of medical care for the population of the Arctic regions of the worldNikitinaAlena Mikhailovnanam.nikitina@mail.ruErmolaevValery Arianovichantivirus1@yandex.ruEgorovVilyuyan Viktorovichwilliam9797@mail.ruNortheastern Federal University named after M.K.Ammosov, Yakutsk, Russian FederationState Budgetary Institution of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) «Yakutsk Republican Clinical Hospital», Yakutsk, Russian Federation260620262162227062026Copyright © 2026,2026There are substantial logistical, financial, human resource, and cross-cultural barriers in providing healthcare in isolated Arctic regions. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the multifaceted challenges to the organization of healthcare delivery in the Arctic regions, and explore innovative solutions. Databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, eLibrary.ru, and Google Scholar were searched systematically using preferred reporting elements for systematic reviews and meta-analyses for studies on organization of medical care for the population of the Arctic regions of the World. After selection process, thirteen studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review. Geographic remoteness and harsh climatic conditions, lack of infrastructure and travel costs, cultural and language factors, and healthcare provider-related and systemic factors are some of the factors affecting the organization of medical care for the population of the arctic region. A comprehensive strategy that takes into account infrastructural, cultural, and physical obstacles is needed to organize medical treatment in the Arctic. Long-term political commitment, culturally sensitive strategies, and flexible service delivery models that honor the needs and opinions of distant and Indigenous communities are necessary.Arctichealthcare organizationmedical careremote areasIndigenous peoplessystematic reviewАрктикаорганизация здравоохранениямедицинская помощьотдаленные районыкоренные народысистематический обзор1.Meltofte H, Barry T, Berteaux D, Bultman H, Christianson JS, Cook JA, et al. Arctic biodiversity assessment, status and trends in Arctic biodiversity: Synthesis. In: Arctic biodiversity assessment, status and trends in Arctic biodiversity. Arctic Council -Conservation of Arctic Fauna and Flora (CAFF): Tromsø; 2013.2.Nordregio. Indigenous population in the Arctic Nordregio. Org. 2019.3.Bjerregaard P, Young TK, Dewailly E, et al. Indigenous health in the Arctic: an overview of the circumpolar Inuit population. Scand J Public Health. 2004;32:390—5.4.Chatwood S, Bjerregaard P, Young TK. Global health — a circumpolar perspective. Am J Public Health. 2012;102:1246—1249.5.Kruse J, Poppel B, Abryutina L, et al. Survey of Living Conditions in the Arctic (SLiCA). In: Møller V, Huschka D and Michalos AC (eds). Barometers of quality of life around the globe: How are we doing? Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands; 2008.6.Statistics Canada. Housing conditions among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada from the 2021 Census. 2022.7.Vist GE, Arentz-Hansen EH, Vedøy TF, et al. Incidence and severe outcomes from COVID-19 among immigrant and minority ethnic groups and among groups of different socio-economic status. Oslo: Norwegian Institute of Public Health; 2021.8.Young TK, Broderstad AR, Sumarokov YA, et al. Disparities amidst plenty: a health portrait of Indigenous peoples in circumpolar regions. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2020;79:1805254.9.Wilson RC, Rourke J, Oandasan IF, et al. Progress made on access to rural health care in Canada. Can J Rural Med. 2020;25(1):14—36.10.IPCC. Climate Change 2014: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Part B: regional aspects. In: Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Barros VR, et al. (editors). UK: Cambridge University Press; 2014.11.Harper SL, Edge VL, Cunsolo Willox A. Changing climate, changing health, changing stories' profile: using an EcoHealth approach to explore impacts of climate change on Inuit Health. EcoHealth. 2012;9:89—101.12.Wassmann PF, Duarte CM, Agustı´ S, Sejr MK. Footprints of climate change in the Arctic marine ecosystem. Global Change Biol. 2011;17:1235—1249.13.Hayoun Y, Gannot I. Healthcare delivery in the arctic-telehealth prospects. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2025;84(1):2438429.14.Thibeault R. Fostering healing through occupation: the case of the Canadian inuit. J Occup Sci. 2002;9:153—158.15.Бурцева Т. Е., Климова Т. М., Гоголев Н. М., et al. Тенденции медико-демографических показателей в арктических районах Республики Саха (Якутия) за 20-летний период (2000—2020). Экология человека. 2022;(6):403—13. DOI: 10.17816/humeco10604316.Гоголев Н. М., Дмитриева С. М., Слепцова С. С. и др. Подготовка медицинских кадров в арктической зоне России. Современные наукоемкие технологии. 2020;(2):91—5. DOI: 10.17513/snt.3792117.Климова Т. М., Софронова С. И., Кузьмина А. А. и др. Динамика медико-демографических показателей и особенности смертности населения в арктической зоне РС (Я) за 2000—2019 гг. Якутский медицинский журнал. 2022;(2):76—81.18.Малявская С. И. Основные подходы к формированию комплексной системы научно-методического сопровождения мероприятий по сохранению здоровья населения в арктической зоне Российской Федерации. Государственный аудит. Право. Экономика. — 2017;(1):74—8.19.Орел В. И., Охлопков М. Е., Григорьева А. Н. и др. Дети Арктики: динамика медико-демографических показателей. Педиатр. 2017;(6):30—7. DOI: 10.17816/PED8630-3720.Ruscio BA, Brubaker M, Glasser J, et al. Onehealth — a strategy for resilience in a changing arctic. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2015;74:27913.21.Macdonald WA, Brandstop H, Berntzen G. Health care challenges and successes in the Arctic circle. Rural Remote Health. 2016;16:4102.22.Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses. Critical appraisal tools. The Joanna Briggs Institute. The University of Adelaide. 2017.23.Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, Group P. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. J Clin Epidemiol. 2009;62(10):1006—12.24.Матвеев Р. П., Гудков С. А. Эпидемиологическая характеристика шокогенной травмы в арктической и приарктической зоне Архангельской области. Медико-биологические и социально-психологические проблемы безопасности в чрезвычайных ситуациях. 2017;(4):34—40. DOI: 10.25016/2541-7487-2017-0-4-34-4025.Halpern N, Bråthen S. Impact of airports on regional accessibility and social development. J Transp Geogr. 2011;19:1145—1154.26.Howard AF, Smillie K, Turnbull K, et al. Access to medical and supportive care for rural and remote cancer survivors in northern British Columbia. J Rural Health. 2014;30:311—321.27.Kleszynski K, Jervis L, TallBull G, Porter O, Bair BD, Shore JH, Manson SM, Kaufman CE. Tribal Perspectives on Patient Navigation for Rural Native Veterans Using Veteran Health Administration Services. J Community Health. 2024;49(3):475—484.28.Kreitzer L, McLaughlin AM, Elliott G, et al. Qualitative examination of rural service provision to persons with concurrent developmental and mental health challenges. Eur J Social Work. 2016;19:46—61.29.Morgan D, Kosteniuk J, O'Connell ME, Kirk A, Stewart NJ, Seitz D, Bayly M, Froehlich Chow A, Elliot V, Daku J, Hack T, Hoium F, Kennett-Russill D, Sauter K. Barriers and facilitators to development and implementation of a rural primary health care intervention for dementia: a process evaluation. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019 Oct 17;19(1):709.30.Nair BV, Schuler R, Stewart S, et al. Self-reported barriers to healthcare access for rheumatoid arthritis patients in rural and northern Saskatchewan: a mixed methods study. Musculoskeletal Care. 2016;14:243—251.31.Schmidt R, Hrenchuk C, Bopp J, et al. Trajectories of women's homelessness in Canada's 3 northern territories. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2015;74:29778.32.Aylsworth L, Manca T, Dubé È, Labbé F, Driedger SM, Benzies K, MacDonald N, Graham J, MacDonald SE, Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) investigators. A qualitative investigation of facilitators and barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines among Racialized and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022;18(6):2129827.33.Turi AL, Bals M, Skre IB, et al. Health service use in indigenous Sami and non-indigenous youth in North Norway: a population based survey. BMC Public Health. 2009;9:378.34.Kyu HH, Georgiades K, MacMillan HL, Boyle MH. Community- and individual-level factors associated with smoking and heavy drinking among Aboriginal people in Canada. Can J Public Health. 2015;106(2):e22—8.35.Oosterveer TM, Young TK. Primary health care accessibility challenges in remote indigenous communities in Canada's north. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2015;74:29576.36.Osman FA, Eriksen AMA, Norbye AMD. The association between emotional abuse in childhood and healthcare utilization in adulthood among sami and non-sami: the SAMINOR 2 questionnaire survey. BMC Health Serv Res. 2024;24(1):754.