ASPECTS OF ARCTIC EPIDEMIOLOGY 

 Frank L. Babbott, Jr. 



University of Pennsylvania 



School of Medicine 

 Philadelphia 4, Pennsylvania 



ABSTRACT 



Few human pathogens found in arctic populations are localized to this geographic 

 region, although some parasites may have a restricted distribution coinciding with 

 that of their intermediate hosts. The variety of infectious agents is more limited 

 than in temperate or tropical climates. With respect to spread, short chain person- 

 to-person transmission appears more important than dissemination by vector or 

 vehicle. The age distribution of cases and the clinical response of a particular eth- 

 nic group to a given disease can usually be explained on the basis of past exposure. 

 Under conditions of normal arctic living, there is little evidence that low environ- 

 mental temperatures directly affect the ability of the human host to react to anti- 

 genic stimuli. Rather, in the Eskimo village, cold is important because of its in- 

 direct effect on the way people live. 



Epidemiology has been defined as a study of the distribution and 

 determinants of mass disease, or disease as it affects populations. 

 Consequently, our focus is not primarily on the cellular manifesta- 

 tions, nor even on diagnosis and treatment of the individual patient. 

 And yet, we must understand pathogenesis, as well as the clinical 

 picture, ifwearetounravelthedeterminantsof the disease as it be- 

 haves in populations. 



Of course, cold, as a physical agent, can and does directly affect 

 individuals and groups of people. During World War II, cold alone, or 

 cold combined with wet, resulted in the hospitalization of 91,000 U. S. 

 Army personnelinallpartsof the world. Seventy- one thousand cases 

 of cold injury occurred in the European Theatre, mostly during the 

 winter of 1944-1945 (Whayne, 19 58). At one time in the winter of 1943, 

 frostbite injuries in United States heavy-bomber crews accounted 

 for more casualties thanallother causes combined. Gunners in B-17 

 and B-24 aircraft were especially at risk as they maneuvered ma- 

 chine guns through open"waist ports" while flying at 25,000 to 

 35,000 feet in temperatures ranging between 25° F and 45° F below 



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