A report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission has laid bare the devastating impact of racism on health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other communities impacted by racism in Australia.
Health inequities in Australia: A scoping review on the impact of racism on health outcomes and healthcare access finds that racism—both systemic and interpersonal—is a critical driver of poor health, chronic illness, and premature death.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said the findings are a wake-up call for the nation.
'This report confirms what communities have been saying for decades: racism in the health system is not just unfair—it can kill,' Commissioner Sivaraman said.
'When people are denied care, misdiagnosed or treated with suspicion because of their race, the consequences are not theoretical. They can be fatal.'
The scoping review, conducted by researchers, including First Nations researchers in the School of Public Health at the University of Technology Sydney, synthesises evidence from 100 studies and highlights how racism contributes to mental illness, chronic disease and reduced life expectancy. It also documents widespread mistrust of healthcare systems due to repeated experiences of discrimination, neglect and stereotyping.
'We cannot close the gap in health outcomes without confronting the racism that underpins it,' Commissioner Sivaraman said.
'This is not about isolated incidents. It's about a system that too often fails people because of who they are. That must change.'
The report calls for urgent reforms, such as:
Embedding cultural safety standards in healthcare.
Provide accessible anti-racism training for health professionals.
Expanding interpreter services to ensure equitable access.
Supporting Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse-led health initiatives through community-led programs.
Recognition of historical trauma in health strategies.
Embedding anti-racist policies in schools and universities.
Strengthening anti-discrimination laws and introducing a federal Human Rights Act.
Promoting job security and workplace protections.
Ensuring diverse voices in policymaking and governance.
Longitudinal studies on racism and health, including intersectional impacts of racism.
Mental health effects of workplace discrimination and culturally tailored mental health interventions.
'Racism is a public health emergency,' Commissioner Sivaraman said. 'We need to treat it with the same urgency and seriousness as any other threat to life.'
'We need the federal and state governments to commit to the health-based recommendations in the National Anti-Racism Framework.'
The report supports the goals of the National Anti-Racism Framework and provides a roadmap for governments, health institutions, and communities to dismantle discriminatory structures and build a health system that is safe, inclusive and equitable for all.
Quotes from healthcare sector professionals and advocates:
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), RACGP President Dr Michael Wright:
This important report again highlights the prevalence of structural racism and the impacts of racism on health in Australia. Racism harms social and emotional wellbeing and increases the risk of chronic disease for those who experience it. Racism in healthcare is preventable. The RACGP has a zero tolerance approach to racism and we call for implementation of the AHRC National Anti-Racism Framework and for cultural safety to be embedded across general practice and the broader health system. Governments implementing Closing the Gap Priority Reform three will be a crucial enabler for this.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the RACGP have a topic on the health impacts of racism in the NACCHO-RACGP National guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss:
Racism makes First People's unwell, and racism is stopping first people from getting better. It's unacceptable that First peoples are dying from diseases that have been eradicated in the rest of population decades ago. This needs to urgently change.
Shaye Candish, General Secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association:
We all have a shared duty to address racism and chart a positive path forward for all communities.
Alongside the Australian Human Rights Commission, the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA) is committed to working with governments, employers and agencies to stamp out racism in the health and aged care systems.
We endeavour to bring about meaningful change for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those from other racially marginalised communities by finding permanent and scalable solutions to mitigate racism in health and aged care workplaces.
