The Role of Cultural Safety Within a Human Rights‐Based Approach to Improve Indigenous Peoples’ Health: A Scoping Review

Abstract

AimTo examine the role of cultural safety within a human rights‐based approach to improving the health of Indigenous Peoples.DesignGuided by Askey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, the literature was examined on cultural safety and prioritised Indigenous voices to inform culturally safe practices. Relevant literature from 2009 to 2021 was included.Data SourcesDatabases included CINAHL, PubMed, Informit and the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.Review MethodsSearch terms included ‘Indigenous Peoples’, ‘cultural safety’ and ‘human rights’ within the context of health in Australia, Aotearoa and Canada.ResultsThe database searches yielded 147 abstracts. After screening, 39 studies were included in the review, describing four overarching themes on the connection between cultural safety and the right to health.ConclusionsDespite cultural safety being linked to key elements of the right to health, such as availability, accessibility, and culturally acceptable resources and services, there is still paucity in research on cultural safety within a human rights framework. Evidence supports cultural safety to decolonise practices, embrace Indigenous knowledge and challenge racism. Linking cultural safety to key elements of the right to health compels nations that have ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to embed cultural safety to fulfil their legal obligation to address health equity according to International Human Rights Law. This study is the first to add a human rights lens on cultural safety.ImpactThe findings underscore the need for clear and explicit linkage between cultural safety and the right to health. This will prompt greater accountability for healthcare institutions and providers and governments to create a more culturally safe healthcare system and to recognise that cultural safety is not optional but an inherent part of the right to health.No Patient or Public ContributionCultural safety, decolonisation, health equity, human rights, Indigenous, nursing, racism.