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

Mele Lua Palu; Kathryn Wenham; Pravina Shagar

doi:10.1111/jan.16685

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

Journal article

Peer reviewed

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

Mele Lua Palu, Kathryn Wenham and Pravina Shagar

Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol.81(7), pp.3600-3614

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16685

PMID: 39717990

Abstract

Aim To examine the role of cultural safety within a human rights-based approach to improving the health of Indigenous Peoples. Design Guided 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 Sources Databases included CINAHL, PubMed, Informit and the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Review Methods Search terms included ‘Indigenous Peoples’, ‘cultural safety’ and ‘human rights’ within the context of health in Australia, Aotearoa and Canada. Results The 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. Conclusions Despite 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. Impact The 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 Contribution Cultural safety, decolonisation, health equity, human rights, Indigenous, nursing, racism.

Details

Title: The Role of Cultural Safety Within a Human Rights-Based Approach to Improve Indigenous Peoples' Health: A Scoping Review
Authors: Mele Lua Palu (Corresponding Author) - Charles Darwin University
Kathryn Wenham - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Public Health
Pravina Shagar - La Trobe University
Publication details: Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol.81(7), pp.3600-3614
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1111/jan.16685
ISSN: 1365-2648
PMID: 39717990
Data Availability: Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991095746002621
Output Type: Journal article