Colonialism and Health Inequities

Colonialism is a determinant of health. The disparities Indigenous peoples face today are rooted in long histories of displacement, systemic exclusion, and interruption of culture, land, and economy. Indigenous Canadians experience much higher rates of chronic illness, for example, among Indigenous adults, about 60 % report at least one chronic condition (such as diabetes, obesity or arthritis) compared to lower rates in the non-Indigenous population.

Colonialism continues through inequitable healthcare access, underfunded infrastructure, and systemic racism that too often defines Indigenous health outcomes. Recognizing this means understanding that poor health is not caused by culture, but by conditions imposed through colonization.

Decolonizing healthcare begins with truth: listening to Indigenous voices, challenging the structures that sustain inequity, and supporting self-determined approaches to health. Healing starts when systems and the people within them begin to change.

Nguyen, Nam Hoang, et al. “Barriers and Mitigating Strategies to Healthcare Access in Indigenous Communities of Canada: A Narrative Review.” Healthcare, vol. 8, no. 2, 26 Apr. 2020, pp. 1–16. mdpi, www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/8/2/112, https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8020112.