Poor health among indigenous peoples a
question of cultural loss as well as poverty

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has released a paper that discusses underlying causes of health disparities. The health problems of Indigenous peoples around the world are intimately tied to a number of unique factors, such as colonization, globalization, migration, and loss of land, language and culture. These factors remain even after the "typical" social problems facing the poor, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, and low education levels are addressed. The paper, was published July 3, 2009, in the Lancet.

Also, in 2006, The Lancet published a series highlighting the poor health status of indigenous populations worldwide. Two reviews provide an update on many of the issues concerning indigenous health, including the perspectives of an author from an indigenous population in North America. While the health of indigenous peoples remains too low down the health policy and political agendas, there are some hopes that the health of indigenous populations are starting to become more understood by the wider global-health community.