Indigenous health part 2: the underlying causes of the health gap

King, Malcolm; Smith, Alexandra; Gracey, Michael

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60827-8

Cited by 1,469Indigenous Health, Education, and RightsIndigenous Health and EducationIndigenous Cultures and History

Indigenous health part 2: the underlying causes of the health gap

King, Malcolm, Smith, Alexandra, Gracey, Michael·2009·The Lancet

DOI 10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60827-8

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Abstract

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.

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Indigenous identity is to a large extent a collective identity, and the experiences of generations of children who attended boarding schools resulted in collective trauma framed within a context of loss of family, community, language, culture, and innocence through rampant abuse.
“Indigenous identity to a large extent is a collective identity, and the experiences of the generations of children who attended these schools resulted in collective trauma framed within a context of loss-loss of family, community, language, culture, and innocence through the rampant physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse these children suffered in these institutions ( [13], pp.76-78”
From “Indigenizing” Food Sovereignty. Revitalizing Indigenous Food Practices and Ecological Knowledges in Canada and the United States (2016) · cites this paper as [13]

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Authors: King, M., Smith, A., & Gracey, M.
Affiliations: University of Alberta (CA)
University of Toronto (CA)
Corresponding author: King, Malcolm
ORCID: King, Malcolm
Smith, Alexandra
Venue: The Lancet
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2009-07
Volume: 374
Issue: 9683
Pages: 76-85
ISSN: 0099-5355 (ISSN-L)
0140-6736
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60827-8
OpenAlex: W2047040250
Cited by: 1,469
References: 2
Citations by year: 2026: 49 · 2025: 84 · 2024: 100 · 2023: 122 · 2022: 141 · 2021: 144 · 2020: 121 · 2019: 110 · 2018: 111 · 2017: 78 · 2016: 102 · 2015: 87 · 2014: 67 · 2013: 51 · 2012: 28
FWCI: 5.22
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: The Lancet (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Indigenous Health and Education
Social Sciences › Anthropology › Indigenous Cultures and History
Keywords: Indigenous health, health disparities, indigenous identity, mental health, addiction, urbanization, environmental stress, whole health, healing, reconciliation, culturally appropriate care, patient-clinician interaction
MeSH terms: Attitude to Health, Mental Disorders, Environmental Health, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Services, Indigenous, Holistic Health, Humans, Ownership, Politics, Population Dynamics, Self Concept, Socioeconomic Factors, Global Health, Causality, Community Networks, Substance-Related Disorders, Population Groups, Cultural Competency, Health Status Disparities, Healthcare Disparities

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Indigenous health part 2: the underlying causes of the health gap

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