The devastating impact of health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples impacted by racism has been laid bare in a report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Health inequities in Australia: A scoping review on the impact of racism on health outcomes and healthcare access synthesises evidence from 100 studies and highlights how racism contributes to mental illness, chronic disease and reduced life expectancy.
The report documents widespread mistrust of healthcare systems due to repeated experiences of discrimination, neglect and stereotyping.
“This is not about isolated incidents. It’s about a system that too often fails people because of who they are. That must change,” said Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman.
Racism, both systemic and interpersonal, is a critical driver of poor health, chronic illness, and premature death, according to the scoping review, conducted by researchers, including First Nations researchers at the University of Technology Sydney.
“When people are denied care, misdiagnosed or treated with suspicion because of their race, the consequences are not theoretical. They can be fatal.
“We cannot close the gap in health outcomes without confronting the racism that underpins it,” said Commissioner Sivaraman.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss said there needed to be urgent change. “Racism makes First People’s unwell, and racism is stopping first people from getting better. It’s unacceptable that First peoples are dying from diseases that have been eradicated in the rest of population decades ago.”
The Australian Human Rights Commission has called on federal and state governments to commit to the health-based recommendations in the National Anti-Racism Framework.
The report supports the goals of the National Anti-Racism Framework and provides a roadmap for governments, health institutions, and communities to dismantle discriminatory structures and build a health system that is safe, inclusive and equitable for all.
Alongside the Australian Human Rights Commission, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) is committed to working with governments, employers and agencies to stamp out racism in the health and aged care systems.
“We all have a shared duty to address racism and chart a positive path forward for all communities,” said NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish.
“We endeavour to bring about meaningful change for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those from other racially marginalised communities by finding permanent and scalable solutions to mitigate racism in health and aged care workplaces.”
The Australian Human Rights Commission report calls for urgent reforms, such as:
- Embedding cultural safety standards in healthcare.
- Provide accessible anti-racism training for health professionals.
- Expanding interpreter services to ensure equitable access.
- Supporting Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse-led health initiatives through community-led programs.
- Recognition of historical trauma in health strategies.
- Embedding anti-racist policies in schools and universities.
- Strengthening anti-discrimination laws and introducing a federal Human Rights Act.
- Promoting job security and workplace protections.
- Ensuring diverse voices in policymaking and governance.
- Longitudinal studies on racism and health, including intersectional impacts of racism.
- Mental health effects of workplace discrimination and culturally tailored mental health interventions.
