The report presents a comprehensive scoping review examining the impact of racism on health outcomes and healthcare access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other negatively racialised communities. Drawing on 100 studies published between 2014 and 2024, the report identifies racism as a pervasive determinant of health, operating at interpersonal, systemic, and structural levels.
Key findings reveal that racism contributes to poorer physical and mental health, delayed care, and sustained mistrust in healthcare systems. Indigenous Australians face compounded effects due to historical trauma, cultural disconnection, and systemic discrimination, while other racialised groups experience acculturative stress, workplace bias, and educational exclusion.
The report offers evidence-based recommendations across policy, practice, and research. These include embedding cultural safety standards, expanding interpreter services, supporting community-led health initiatives, and strengthening anti-discrimination laws. It also calls for longitudinal studies and intersectional analyses to address knowledge gaps.
Ultimately, the review underscores the urgent need for systemic reform and culturally safe, inclusive healthcare to reduce health disparities and promote equity for all Australians.
