Institutional Racism In Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians have reported high levels of racism in their lives (Paradies and Cunningham, 2009, Paradies, Y., Harris, R., & Anderson, I., 2008 and Ziersch, A., Gallahera, G., Bauma & Bentleya, M, 2011) but the main focus here is on institutional racism and the effects it has on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. Institutional racism, also known as systemic racism, signifies one of the vital barricades to improving the health care of Indigenous Australians. Institutional racism can be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians as it can go unnoticed and the object behind the racial act is not aware of the actions implied and it can be overlooked (Henry, B.R., Houston, S. & Mooney, G.H., 2004,

Williams (2006) enhances that institutional racism “…can adversely affect health by restricting socioeconomic opportunities and mobility” (Williams, 2006, p.173). “…institutional racism is covert or even unrecognised by the agents involved in it” (Henry et al., 2004, p. 517). The fact that this form of racism most often goes unrecognised, it is hard to be aware of it or even understand the impact institutional racism has on Indigenous Australians. Although the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples act was implemented, institutional racism is still affecting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians in hospitals and in the health care sector (Durey, A, 2010, p.

For example, English literacy is dominated by Yolnu people thus Yolnu people are not able to receive, obtain and communicate effectively which affect the health status and health care creating institutional racism. To reduce the impact institutional racism has on Indigenous Australians in hospitals, medical practitioners need to understand the language barrier and the effect cultural misunderstanding has, to promote effect and culturally appropriate practise. According to Larson, A., Gillies, M., Howards, P., & Coffin. J (2007), there needs to be a significant change in the way white Australians act towards Indigenous Australians and if there is to be any improvement, we need to have a better understanding of how institutional racism affects Indigenous Australians and the impact it has on their health and wellbeing (Larson et al., 2007, p.328). Marrie, A., & Marrie, H (2014), discuss if you want to reduce institutional racism in the health care system, you need to have a culturally respectful and non-discriminatory health