Tackling health inequalities in Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

Aug 9th marked the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples—a moment to reflect on the profound inequalities affecting Indigenous Peoples worldwide. Representing 476 million people across more than 90 countries, Indigenous Peoples today are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people. With worse health outcomes than non-Indigenous populations and a substantially lower life expectancy, Indigenous Peoples suffer considerable health inequalities—shaped by historical injustices, persistent structural, economic, and cultural barriers, and inequitable health systems. A series of papers published this month in The Lancet Public Health and The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific shed light on cancer inequalities affecting Indigenous Peoples and offer valuable insights for policy makers.