Access to Mental Health Care in the Arctic
4 Russian Journal of Comparative Law (2017), pp. 78-87
Posted: 26 Dec 2019
Date Written: January 5, 2017
Abstract
The right to health is one of the most important human rights, which is increasingly recognized in international law. Access to effective health care is often more difficult for people who speak a language which is not the dominant language in the country, which might be a problem for example for elderly indigenous persons. This is especially the case when it comes to mental health. In the Arctic, the problem is compounded by long distances and limited medical services. While modern means of communication are increasingly used for the provision of medical services, access to mental health care remains a critical issue in the high North. This article illustrates the problem from the perspectives of international human rights law and of international indigenous rights law by utilizing a case study concerning indigenous women in Norway.
Keywords: right to health, human rights, Arctic, mental health, indigenous
JEL Classification: K33
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation