Knowledge to Action Series Case Example Nunavik Board of Health and Social Services

Publication Summary

This case study shares the Nunavik Board of Health and Social Services (NBHSS) partnership with national and regional collaborators to pilot wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) as an innovative tool to enhance public health monitoring in remote Arctic communities. The initiative aimed to detect and track infectious disease signals—including SARS-CoV-2—in a region where clinical testing capacity can be limited due to logistical and geographic constraints. Through tailored implementation strategies, the NBHSS integrated WBS into its broader health surveillance framework while prioritizing local context, community engagement, and cultural safety. This case highlights the feasibility, relevance, and equity-driven value of wastewater surveillance in northern, remote and Indigenous-led public health systems, offering key insights for other jurisdictions seeking to adapt WBS in remote or underserved settings.