On the Finnmark Survey

Since 1974, seven cardiovascular surveys were performed in Finnmark County, with an ethnically and culturally diverse population of 80,000 (Sami, Norwegian, and Finnish subjects).

Suggested readings:
- Centre for Sami Health Research
- Indigenous People and Health Issues
- The Tromsø Study



Large cohort
All birth cohorts born 1925 – 1956 and samples among younger adults have been invited once or repeatedly to surveys with similar procedures, but less extensive data collection than in the Tromsø Study. Researchers at our institute and the National Health Screening Service established the Finnmark Study and have subsequently analysed data in joint and separate research projects. Incident myocardial infarction, stroke, and diabetes among participants in the 1974 and 1977 surveys were recorded through 1989. The registry will be extended up to 2000. Internationally, few studies followed a large cohort of both men and women with respect to hard cardiovascular morbidity for that long, and except for The Tromsø Study, it is the only of its kind in Norway.

Promoting phd-candidates
The well-known link between childhood poverty and future CVD was pursued and supported by The Finnmark Study. Nine doctoral theses from our institute used data from The Finnmark Study. They concern cardiovascular disease in socio-economic and ethnic groups and in families as well as diabetes, cancer, and illness behaviour, and used epidemiological as well as sociological research methodology. A PhD-student is currently analysing effects of different community prevention strategies.