Racism: a major impediment to optimal Indigenous health and health care in Australia

Abstract

Objectives: To highlight the scope and ramifications of racism on health and health care of Indigenous Australians, and suggest approaches for minimising racism’s adverse health impacts. Methods: Literature review and conceptual frameworks based on the historical, structural and social determinants of health and health care were used to highlight the scope and ramifications of racism in relation to health, and to Indigenous health care access. Results: Racism has major adverse impacts on the health of Indigenous Australians, and significantly hinders their access to effective health care. Most of racism’s negative effects on Indigenous health may be ameliorated through addressing structural determinants of health inequities, improving community awareness regarding racial prejudice, strengthening political will to address racism, improving cultural competence among health workers, and health service redesign to facilitate optimal access to Indigenous health care.