Meeting of the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (original) (raw)
Related papers
British Journal of Social Work, 2019
Welcome! From where the sun rises in the East to where it settles in the darkening stillness of the West, we honour the Breath of Life that resides within each of us and that moves between us. This issue is published in the United Nations' International Year of Indigenous Languages and reflects the aspiration to perpetuate language and culture while simultaneously, advancing Indigenous health and well-being (United Nations Division for Sustainable Development [UNDSD], 2018b). In this editorial, we provide the background significance for the special issue, briefly summarise its content and offer thoughts for future action. Indigenous health and well-being in the global context An estimated 370 million Indigenous peoples dwell in about ninety nations around the world (World Bank, 2016). Although diverse in socio-cultural characteristics, language and history, Indigenous peoples commonly are recognised as the descendants of those who inhabited a geographical region prior to the arrival of colonising forces. Colonisers rarely came in peace and, for the most part, leveraged their dominance through invasion, war, seizure of natural resources, settlement, usurpation of Indigenous economies and other means for asserting power and control. As a distal social determinant of health (SDOH), colonisation has threatened Indigenous governance systems, language and culture; neo-colonialism continues to alienate Indigenous Peoples from their ancestral lands (Czyzewski, 2011; United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues [UNPFII], 2017). In contemporary times, Indigenous peoples living in both developed and developing nations face continuous social marginalisation-often leaving many to feel like 'strangers in their own world'. In comparison to settler populations, Indigenous peoples are disproportionately burdened by extreme poverty, sub-optimal health outcomes and life expectancies that are www.basw.co.uk
What works? A review of actions addressing the social and economic determinants of Indigenous health
There are significant health inequities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and the health disadvantages experienced by Indigenous Australians are shaped by the broader social and economic conditions in which they live. This paper reviews evidence relating to improving Indigenous outcomes and 'closing the gap' across a range of key social and economic determinants of health and wellbeing. It outlines what works, what doesn't, and what further research is needed.
Indigenous health part 2: the underlying causes of the health gap
The Lancet, 2009
In this Review we delve into the underlying causes of health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and provide an Indigenous perspective to understanding these inequalities. We are able to present only a snapshot of the many research publications about Indigenous health. Our aim is to provide clinicians with a framework to better understand such matters. Applying this lens, placed in context for each patient, will promote more culturally appropriate ways to interact with, to assess, and to treat Indigenous peoples. The topics covered include Indigenous notions of health and identity; mental health and addictions; urbanisation and environmental stresses; whole health and healing; and reconciliation.
Educating for Indigenous Health Equity: An International Consensus Statement
Academic Medicine, 2019
Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations are ubiquitous and pervasive 1-4 and are recognized as being unfair, avoidable, and remediable. 5,6 These inequities exist because of a breach of rights including the right to health. 7,8 We reaffirm the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide, including the right to health. 9 Although there is no official definition of Indigenous peoples, key features include self-identification; historical continuity with precolonial or presettler societies; links to territories and surrounding natural resources; and distinct social, economic, or political systems. There are estimated to be over 370 million Indigenous people in 70 countries worldwide. 10 The focus of this article is the health of Indigenous peoples in Western settler-colonial contexts such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
Indigenous health: chronically inadequate responses to damning statistics
The Medical journal of Australia
In the 10 years 1990-2000, despite improvements in some conditions, there has been little or no overall progress in the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations of Australia. This is in stark contrast to the gains made in Indigenous health in other countries. The issue is one of lack of commitment to and implementation of already existing policies. We need to (i) fully and adequately fund the Primary Health Care Access Program to provide the out-of-hospital services for prevention and early treatment required to break the cycle of ill-health; (ii) implement a National Training Plan to train the necessary health workforce; and (iii) introduce a National Infrastructure Plan to rectify the continuing deficiencies in water supply, sanitation, education and other basic services.