Project report
A study protocol for the project Meeqqat Peqqissut: A register-based study exploring social and health determinants of child well-being in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland)
Charlotte Brandstrup Ottendahl, Ivalu Katajavaara Seidler, Lars Pedersen, Anders Blaabjerg, Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001Meeqqat Peqqissut is a register-based study in Greenland that will examine the social and health factors affecting child well-being across the entire child population. The project links healthcare records, socio-economic data, education records, and other administrative sources to understand both risk factors and protective factors that shape children's lives. Using an Indigenous framework and strength-based approach, the research aims to provide evidence for policies and programmes that improve child health and reduce health inequalities in Greenland.
Key points
- Previous research in Greenland has focused on isolated health indicators rather than the broader determinants of child well-being
- The study integrates longitudinal data from healthcare, socio-economic, education, social services, and police records linked through personal identification numbers
- The project uses an Indigenist Ecological Systems Model and Peqqissuserput framework, emphasizing resilience and culturally embedded determinants
- Data will be analysed using advanced methods including latent class and trajectory analyses on a secure platform
- Ethical approval has been obtained and the study aligns with Greenland's national public health strategy and government research strategy for 2022-2030
Limitations
This is a study protocol describing planned research rather than results, so no outcomes or effectiveness data are available yet. The document does not specify the age range of children to be included, the timeline for data collection and analysis, or preliminary findings.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Child health and well-being in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) remain a major public health concern, yet systematic, population-level research is limited. Previous studies have focused on isolated indicators such as vaccination coverage and infant mortality, without capturing the broader structural and social determinants shaping children’s lives. The Meeqqat Peqqissut project addresses this gap by developing a cross-sectoral, register-based approach to identify both risk and health promoting factors influencing child health and well-being for alle children in Kalaallit Nunaat. Grounded in the Indigenist Ecological Systems Model (IESM) and complemented by the Peqqissuserput framework, the project adopts a strengths-based perspective that emphasizes resilience and culturally embedded determinants of well-being. Methods Meeqqat Peqqissut is a collaboration between the Centre for Public Health in Greenland and Statistics Greenland. The study integrates longitudinal register data linked via personal identification numbers, combining healthcare records (COSMIC), socio-economic data from Statistics Greenland, municipal case management systems (Get Organized), and police records. Additional sources include education and social services. Data will be combined and analysed on Statistics Greenland’s secure platform using advanced methods such as latent class and trajectory analyses. A participatory approach ensures continuous dialogue with practitioners to validate data quality and contextual relevance. Results The project supports evidence-based strategies for improving child health and well-being in Kalaallit Nunaat and contributes to the national public health strategy Inuuneritta III. It aligns with the Kalaallit Nunaat government’s research strategy for 2022–2030, as it aims to support sustainable societal development by contributing to improved public health and reducing social health inequalities. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Scientific Ethics Committee in Kalaallit Nunaat (VEK 2025-12). Conclusion The Meeqqat Peqqissut project will provide a robust, cross-sectoral evidence base to strengthen efforts to improve child health and reduce social health inequalities in Kalaallit Nunaat. By integrating administrative data and applying an Indigenous, strengths-based framework, the study advances understanding of structural and social determinants of well-being. The project establishes a sustainable approach to equity-oriented child health monitoring and will inform policy, practice, and long-term public health action.