Experiencing racism in health care: the mental health impacts for Victorian Aboriginal communities

Examining experiences of racism in health settings and their impact on mental health among Aboriginal Australians finds that Aboriginal Australians are more likely to be affected by racism than non-Aboriginal Australians.

Abstract

Experiencing interpersonal racism in health settings is associated with increased psychological distress over and above what would be expected in other settings. This finding supports the rationale for improving cultural competency and reducing racism as a means of closing the health gap between Aboriginal and other Australians. Capitalising on this investment will require explicitly evaluating the impact of these initiatives on reducing patient experiences of racism.