Implementation of the survey

Prior to the survey, cooperation was established with the authorities in each municipality. These provided suitable premises, freed municipal health workers to work in the clinical survey and offered other assistance. The Centre for Sami Health Research rented or borrowed premises in the various municipalities and established a research station for the period of the survey. Mostly, local health workers were freed to work at the research station. Seventy hired staff were involved in collecting the data.

The target group was the entire population aged 40–79, regardless of whether or not they participated in Stage 1. About one month in advance, a pamphlet was sent out by post, which contained information about the forthcoming health survey (pamphlet in Northern Sami, pamphlet in Kven). A few weeks later, a personal invitation was sent out, which included an information brochure (information brochure in Northern Sami), a scheduled appointment (appointment in Northern Sami) and a questionnaire. About halfway through the survey period, those who had not yet attended received a reminder in the post (reminder in Northern Sami).

The survey consisted of a clinical examination and blood tests. Participants were also asked to complete in advance a questionnaire they had been sent and bring it to the appointment. Participants aged 70–79 received a separate questionnaire designed for older people. There were thus two questionnaires used in Stage 2: one of eight pages for people aged 40–69 years (questionnaire in Norwegian, questionnaire in Northern Sami) and one of four pages for the age group 70–79 years (questionnaire in Norwegian, questionnaire in Northern Sami).

Clinical measurements 

Height, weight, hip and waist circumference, pulse and blood pressure were measured.

Blood samples

Non-fasting blood samples were taken. Long-term blood sugar (HbA1c) and haemoglobin levels were analysed on site. All participants were offered written results of the examinations at the station, including long-term blood sugar and haemoglobin levels. In the case of abnormal findings, participants were referred to their GP. Other samples were frozen and sent to UiT The Arctic University of Norway to be stored in the biobank. Lipids, biomarkers for diabetes, inflammatory reactions, iron status and some vitamins were analysed at the University Hospital of North Norway in autumn 2014. In spring 2016, vitamin D was analysed in Helsinki, Finland. Environmental toxins were also analysed in selected participants. The remaining blood samples were stored in the biobank for later analysis.