Alaska's rural and multi-cultural environment calls for multidisciplinary approaches
to defining health problems and identifying appropriate solutions. The Institute for
Circumpolar Health Studies (ICHS) was established by the Alaska Legislature in 1988 to improve the health of peoples
of Alaska and other circumpolar areas through instruction, information services, and
basic and applied research in health and medicine.
Our applied research focus supports public health planning and provides opportunities
for students to gain research experience. Our faculty and staff have expertise in epidemiologic study design, quantitative and
qualitative analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), community engagement,
evaluation, and facilitation.
The Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) released a new report about the health of women who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Physical violence is a part of IPV, but it also includes things like controlling behaviors, threats of harm, and inflicting harm against people and things an intimate partner cares about. Dr. Ingrid Johnson with AVS told the Alaska Beacon these sorts of behaviors can have a lasting impact.
This year's annual Crime in Alaska report was recently released. Brad Myrstol, Justice Center Professor and Alaska Justice Information Center Director, discussed the data compiled from police agencies across the state with Anchorage Daily News.
UAA Justice Center Professor and Alaska Justice Information Center Director, Brad Myrstol, spoke with KNBA about the disproportionally high number of Alaska Native and American Indian inmates in the Alaskan and U.S. prison system.
UAA's Alaska Justice Information Center presented data from 1979 thru 2021 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Troy C. Payne, Director of AJIC wrote "After a large increase in the mid-2010’s, motor vehicle theft has been trending down since 2018. In both trend and magnitude, Alaska is similar to the national average for property offenses. Alaska has consistently had higher-than-average rates of violence since 1993."
An analysis by the Alaska Justice Information Center of state court system data shows a steady decrease in trial court filings for violent and property crimes, but an increase in weapons case filings.