Circumpolar stakeholder perspectives on Geographic Information Systems for communicating the health impacts of development

摘要: Abstract Natural resource development is accelerating in the circumpolar region, raising questions about balance between potential economic benefits for northern indigenous peoples with risks of increasing long-standing health inequities. New communication tools are needed to document and synthesize complex diverse evidence impacts a context relevant natural management. Our research examines perspectives experts on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as platform communicate scientific knowledge. Thirty policy makers, academic researchers, community-level practitioners participated semi-structured interviews examining community health, management, use GIS within Arctic subarctic communities. Qualitative analysis interview transcripts key themes indicated that majority supported employing facilitate more extensive collaboration communities produce higher quality data outputs decision-making forums. To ensure enables improve social welfare people, recommended communities’ access technology training, stewardship data, utilizing ongoing monitoring impacts, coordinating cumulative impact regions. Findings focus management jurisdictions mandate public participation, relevance improving accountability populations other