The Impact of Racism on Indigenous Health and Well-being on Māori and Pasifika
Tracks
Boetdoemba (Sea Eagle)
| Tuesday, October 31, 2023 |
| 1:35 PM - 1:55 PM |
Overview
Dr.Ali Rasheed, Unitec/ Te Pukenga Institute of Technology
Speaker
Dr. Ali Rasheed
Lecturer
Unitec/ Te Pukenga Institute of Technology
The Impact of Racism on Indigenous Health and Well-being on Māori and Pasifika
Abstract
Racism has had a significant and negative impact on the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples, including Māori, and Pasifika communities. These are some ways in which racism has affected their health:
1. Social Determinants of Health: Racism has contributed to the social determinants of health, which are the social and economic conditions that shape people's lives and impact their health. For Indigenous peoples, systemic racism has resulted in poor housing, limited access to education and employment opportunities, inadequate health care, and limited access to clean water and nutritious food.
2. Mental Health: Racism has also had a significant impact on Indigenous peoples' mental health. Experiences of racism can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. These effects can be long-lasting and have intergenerational impacts.
3. Physical Health: Racism has also had a direct impact on Indigenous peoples' physical health. Studies have shown that Indigenous peoples experience higher rates of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, than non-Indigenous populations.
4. Cultural Safety: Racism can also impact Indigenous peoples' ability to access health care. When Indigenous peoples experience racism within health care systems, they may be less likely to seek care when they need it. This can lead to untreated illnesses and negative health outcomes. Therefore, it's important to create a culturally safe environment to help Indigenous peoples feel comfortable accessing health care services.
As a practitioner and lecturer in social work, I present my reflections on racism that has contributed to health disparities and inequities faced by Indigenous peoples, including. Addressing racism is essential to improving the health and well-being of these populations. It requires a comprehensive approach, including increasing access to culturally safe healthcare services, addressing the social determinants of health, and creating policies that promote equity and reduce systemic racism.
1. Social Determinants of Health: Racism has contributed to the social determinants of health, which are the social and economic conditions that shape people's lives and impact their health. For Indigenous peoples, systemic racism has resulted in poor housing, limited access to education and employment opportunities, inadequate health care, and limited access to clean water and nutritious food.
2. Mental Health: Racism has also had a significant impact on Indigenous peoples' mental health. Experiences of racism can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. These effects can be long-lasting and have intergenerational impacts.
3. Physical Health: Racism has also had a direct impact on Indigenous peoples' physical health. Studies have shown that Indigenous peoples experience higher rates of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, than non-Indigenous populations.
4. Cultural Safety: Racism can also impact Indigenous peoples' ability to access health care. When Indigenous peoples experience racism within health care systems, they may be less likely to seek care when they need it. This can lead to untreated illnesses and negative health outcomes. Therefore, it's important to create a culturally safe environment to help Indigenous peoples feel comfortable accessing health care services.
As a practitioner and lecturer in social work, I present my reflections on racism that has contributed to health disparities and inequities faced by Indigenous peoples, including. Addressing racism is essential to improving the health and well-being of these populations. It requires a comprehensive approach, including increasing access to culturally safe healthcare services, addressing the social determinants of health, and creating policies that promote equity and reduce systemic racism.
Biography
Ali Rasheed is a lecturer at Unitec New Zealand Limited in the School of Health and Social Practice. Completed a Masters in Applied Social Practice at Massey University, before getting his Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Public policy at Auckland University of Technology. He is a practicing Social Worker, registered with the Social Work Registration Board of New Zealand. His research is on migrants and refugees in New Zealand and publishes work widely in the area of mental health and well-being of minority communities living in New Zealand.
