Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Indigenous Peoples’ Health in Australia, Canada, and the United States: Causes and Policies Options

Abstract

The author of the paper investigates the issue of Indigenous health inequalities. The main purpose of the research is to assess the causes of health inequalities among Indigenous people and policy options to reduce the health gaps. Systematization of the literary sources shows that there are health disparities between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people and approaches for solving the problem come in different forms. The methodological basis of this study is a comparative analysis that used secondary data to capture health inequalities among the Indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and the United States. These countries have adopted different policy options to reduce these inequalities. The paper presents the results of a comparative analysis that contributes to knowledge by articulating what is not known about Indigenous health inequalities and social determinants of health and policy response. The study contributes to understanding by articulating what is not known about Indigenous health inequalities and social determinants of health and policy response. Aside from the study being useful to policymakers, politicians, development experts and the academic environments, the study provides the opportunity to assess some of the policy interventions. When necessary, it provides ample opportunity if there is a need to reform the social and health policies meant to reduce health inequalities among Indigenous populations. The author found that both grey and academic studies have examined policy options and governance meant to reduce health inequalities among Indigenous people in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. However, there is a lack of quality studies that have evaluated these policy options, limiting the strength to determine achievement associated with such policy options and governance. Further, there is limited information on whether these policy options are suitable for the Indigenous population to enhance their health status. With these limitations, future studies need to assess the effectiveness of these policy options and determine if the policy options are culturally suitable to reduce Indigenous people’s health inequalities.