Cross-cultural communication
Greenland maintains an extraordinarily high context culture. Supposedly, you can have an entire conversation by scrunching your nose and raising your eyebrows!1
Additionally, there is a common perception of Greenlanders as quiet people because they often have a tendency to avoid conflict and "raise the white flag" easily.2 Because of this, there may be some issues in healthcare communication because Greenlanders are unwilling to subvert a social dynamic with their medical provider.3 Within studies, it has been found that there is little to no language barrier between medical professionals and their client, but there may be a cultural communication barrier.4 The best way to fix this is to further encourage Greenlanders to pursue a medical profession, but also for non-native providers to pursue healthcare that doesn't impede upon the cultural concept of disease.5
Additionally, there is a common perception of Greenlanders as quiet people because they often have a tendency to avoid conflict and "raise the white flag" easily.2 Because of this, there may be some issues in healthcare communication because Greenlanders are unwilling to subvert a social dynamic with their medical provider.3 Within studies, it has been found that there is little to no language barrier between medical professionals and their client, but there may be a cultural communication barrier.4 The best way to fix this is to further encourage Greenlanders to pursue a medical profession, but also for non-native providers to pursue healthcare that doesn't impede upon the cultural concept of disease.5
http://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/98789_one_greenland_womans_triumph_over_tragedy_adversity/
Significant health outcomes
In modern times, Greenlanders have seen an increase in diabetes and obesity due to increased prevalence of processed, imported foods.6
Due to the harsh conditions, there is a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables, leading to an increased dependence on imported (pre-packaged) foods.7
This is in harsh contrast to the traditional “Arctic Dilemma,” where dependence on polyunsaturated-fatty foods (whale, fish, and birds) traditionally decreased locals' risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes, but increased exposure to toxic levels of pollutants. The best way to optimize Greenlandic health is to strike a balance between a traditional diet and supplement it with (relatively healthy) imports.8
This is in harsh contrast to the traditional “Arctic Dilemma,” where dependence on polyunsaturated-fatty foods (whale, fish, and birds) traditionally decreased locals' risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes, but increased exposure to toxic levels of pollutants. The best way to optimize Greenlandic health is to strike a balance between a traditional diet and supplement it with (relatively healthy) imports.8
Photo by George F. Mobley/National Geographic/Getty Images