Trying to dig on the Health Crisis in Greenland
Greenland faces significant public health crises, primarily driven by some of the world's highest suicide rates, widespread mental health issues, and rapid increases in obesity and related chronic diseases like diabetes. Additionally, the region faces challenges with alcohol abuse and, historically, a forced birth control campaign involving IUDs in young women.
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
Key health issues include:
Mental Health and Suicide: Greenland has a very high suicide rate, with a rate around 81 per 100,000 in 2015–2018, according to Wikipedia. This is considered a critical social and public health issue.
Obesity and Diet: A shift from traditional diets to Westernized food has driven a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes, as reported in studies from the National Institutes of Health (.gov).
Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol consumption levels have been, at times, roughly twice as high as in other nations, causing significant mortality, according to studies from Taylor & Francis Online.
Historical Medical Trauma (IUD Scandal): In the 1960s and 70s, many Greenlandic women were fitted with IUDs without their consent, leading to lasting reproductive and mental health issues, as described in YouTube videos and YouTube videos.
Infrastructure Challenges: As noted by Global Rescue, limited access to emergency care outside major cities and specialized care often requires travel to Denmark, which, as highlighted in the Fortune article, the Danish government defends as effective.
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
While the U.S. has occasionally expressed concern about the health of the population in 2026, the Danish government asserts that the population receives the necessary care.