What is missing? Addressing the complex issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health in the circumpolar north

A cross the globe, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a complex issue, with a myriad of moving parts and diverse stakeholders from different knowledge and value systems. In the Arctic, the context of SRH and associated health disparities are composed of psychological, social, cultural, economic, educational, geographic and political factors. There is a dearth of published literature on the basic epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STI), and even fewer publications on teen pregnancy and domestic violence in the Arctic. But as a community of circumpolar healthcare and public health professionals, we know that impact of SRH goes beyond the published scholarship available on epidemiology and surveillance. More publications regarding the existence of these disparities and the ways to address SRH through research and programmes that take into account the unique circumstances found within Arctic communities are needed. Discussions regarding increasing the number of publications that explore the many interconnected pieces of SRH in the circumpolar north began at the 16th International Congress on Circumpolar Health in Oulu, Finland, in June 2015, among members of the new Circumpolar Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health. The result of these early conversations is this special issue which aims to present current social science research and programme activities that address the complexity of SRH in the Arctic, with particular emphasis on indigenous health. The Call for Papers solicited original work with the following foci:. Innovative curricula, interventions and educational programmes implemented in arctic environments.. Improving access to SRH care services in Arctic communities.. Efforts to address the social, individual, psychological , environmental and cultural variables affecting SRH in the Arctic.. Research ethics, challenges and lessons learned of addressing sensitive topics such as SRH in arctic environments.. Social science research and programmatic science partnerships and collaborations on SRH between the circumpolar countries.. Indigenous perspectives on SRH opportunities and promotion efforts. The special issue received numerous submissions on SRH. Themes that emerged from the final manuscripts include sexual violence, teen pregnancy, STI, breastfeeding and maternal health, representing almost all topical areas described in the Call for Papers. Collectively, the articles speak to the diversity of individual, community and systems approaches needed to effectively influence SRH within the circumpolar context and establish evidence that provides recommendations for community-based participatory research (CBPR), inclusion of indigenous ways of knowing and methodologies, and a need for culturally responsive programmes that are respectful of indigenous self-determination, place, people and culture. …