A new report from the Australian Human Rights Commission reveals that racism has a profound and often fatal impact on healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, as well as other racially marginalized communities in Australia. The report, titled Health inequities in Australia: A scoping review on the impact of racism on health outcomes and healthcare access, details how both systemic and interpersonal racism are critical drivers of poor health and chronic illness, ultimately contributing to premature death.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman emphasized the urgency of the findings. “This report confirms what communities have been saying for decades: racism in the health system is not just unfair—it can kill,” he stated. He added that experiences such as being denied care or misdiagnosed due to race lead to serious consequences that are anything but theoretical.
Deep Dive into Health Disparities
The scoping review, conducted by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney, including First Nations researchers, synthesizes evidence from 100 studies. It highlights that racism contributes not only to chronic diseases and mental health issues but also to a reduced life expectancy among affected communities. The report documents a widespread mistrust of healthcare systems, largely due to repeated experiences of discrimination, neglect, and stereotyping.
Commissioner Sivaraman stressed the need for systemic change: “We cannot close the gap in health outcomes without confronting the racism that underpins it. This is not about isolated incidents. It’s about a system that too often fails people because of who they are. That must change.”
The report outlines urgent reforms necessary to combat these issues, including:
– Embedding cultural safety standards in healthcare.
– Providing accessible anti-racism training for health professionals.
– Expanding interpreter services to ensure equitable access.
– Supporting Indigenous and culturally diverse-led health initiatives through community-led programs.
– Acknowledging historical trauma in health strategies.
– Implementing anti-racist policies in educational institutions.
– Strengthening anti-discrimination laws and introducing a federal Human Rights Act.
– Promoting job security and workplace protections.
– Ensuring diverse voices are included in policymaking and governance.
– Conducting longitudinal studies on the intersectional impacts of racism on health.
Commissioner Sivaraman characterized racism as a “public health emergency,” calling for governments to engage with the recommendations outlined in the National Anti-Racism Framework.
Support from Healthcare Leaders
Healthcare professionals and advocates have echoed the report’s alarming findings. Dr. Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), remarked that the report highlights the prevalence of structural racism and its impact on health. He stated, “Racism harms social and emotional wellbeing and increases the risk of chronic disease for those who experience it. Racism in healthcare is preventable.”
Katie Kiss, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, emphasized the urgency of addressing these health disparities. “Racism makes First Peoples unwell, and racism is stopping First Peoples from getting better,” she said. “It’s unacceptable that First Peoples are dying from diseases that have been eradicated in the rest of the population decades ago. This needs to urgently change.”
Shaye Candish, General Secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, called for a collective effort to address racism in health and aged care systems. “We all have a shared duty to address racism and chart a positive path forward for all communities,” she stated, highlighting the commitment to finding scalable solutions to mitigate racism in healthcare settings.
The findings from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report serve as a critical reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms that address the roots of racism in healthcare, ensuring a safer, more equitable system for all Australians.
