First Nation, Indigenous and Aboriginal Perspectives of Health Promotion and Wellbeing

Dear Colleagues,

Just under half a billion First Nation, Indigenous and Aboriginal people live globally, making up just over six percent of the global population. Globalisation and colonisation have impacted greatly on the health and wellbeing of First Nation, Indigenous and Aboriginal populations. Consequently, First Nation, Indigenous and Aboriginal people make up almost twenty percent of people living in poverty globally [1]. With deep spiritual and familial connection to Land and Country, First Nation, Indigenous and Aboriginal people rely on the protective factors of culture to maintain physical health and social and emotional wellbeing. In Australia health promotion from a First Nation worldview perspective takes into account country, language, culture, kinship and self-determination to support living healthy lives [2]. Health promotion efforts cover a range of health aspects including healthy lifestyles, immunization, sexual health, mental health, healthy eating, environmental health, injury/accident prevention, men’s and women’s health, and parenting and birthing.

Effective communication, co-design approaches, decolonising research methodologies, Indigenous research frameworks, and Community-led participatory action research strategies feature prominently in First Nation, Indigenous and Aboriginal health promotion efforts to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve and protect their health [3].

Scholarly papers addressing these topics are invited to this special issue, particularly those with a practical focus where solutions are led by First Nation, Indigenous and Aboriginal communities.

References

[1] International Labour Organization. 2019. Implementing the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention No. 169: Towards an inclusive, sustainable and just future. Available online: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_735607.pdf (accessed on 29 April 2022).

[2] Wright, M.; Lin, A.; O’Connell, M. Humility, inquisitiveness, and openness: Key attributes for meaningful engagement with Nyoongar people. Adv. Ment. Health 2016, 14, 79–81. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18387357.2016.1173516

[3] World Health Organisation (WHO). Bangkok Charter of Health Promotion in a Globalized World. 2008. Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/205976/B3280.pdf (accessed on 29 April 2022).

Dr. Michael Wright
Guest Editor

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