title: Pan-Arctic TV Series on Inuit wellness: a northern model of communication for social change?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper provides highlights of a utilization-focused evaluation of a collaborative Pan-Arctic Inuit Wellness TV Series that was broadcast live in Alaska and Canada in May 2009. This International Polar Year (IPY) communication and outreach project intended to (1) share information on International Polar Year research progress, disseminate findings and explore questions with Inuit in Alaska, Canada and Greenland; (2) provide a forum for Inuit in Alaska, Canada and Greenland to showcase innovative health and wellness projects; (3) ensure Inuit youth and adult engagement throughout; and (4) document and reflect on the overall experience for the purposes of developing and "testing" a participatory communication model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Utilization-focused formative evaluation of the project, with a focus on overall objectives, key messages and lessons learned to facilitate program improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participant observation, surveys, key informant interviews, document review and website tracking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Promising community programs related to 3 themes - men's wellness, maternity care and youth resilience - in diverse circumpolar regions were highlighted, as were current and stillevolving findings from ongoing Arctic research. Multiple media methods were used to effectively deliver and receive key messages determined by both community and academic experts. Local capacity and new regional networks were strengthened. Evidence-based resources for health education and community action were archived in digital formats (websites and DVDs), increasing accessibility to otherwise isolated individuals and remote communities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Pan-Arctic Inuit Wellness TV Series was an innovative, multi-dimensional communication project that raised both interest and awareness about complex health conditions in the North and stimulated community dialogue and potential for increased collaborative action. Consistent with a communication for social change approach, the project created new networks, increased motivation to act and provided new tools to do so, and increased local community involvement and "voice" in the discussion and dissemination of successful strategies to promote Inuit wellness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508-4614, USA. Rhonda.Johnson@uaa.alaska.edu
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leavitt
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carry
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kinnon
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rideout
authors.forename: Kath
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Clarida
mesh_terms: D000413:Alaska; D001110:Arctic Regions; D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection; D006116:Greenland; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D004930:Inuit; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D012922:Social Change; D013690:Television