Food Sovereignty and Health: A Conceptual Framework to Advance Research and Practice

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Indigenous Studies
• Health Equity

Background:

• Settler colonialism has negatively impacted Indigenous foodways, leading to increased diet-related diseases.
• Food sovereignty is a culturally grounded movement empowering Indigenous peoples to control their food systems.
• Existing public health literature lacks comprehensive documentation on the links between food sovereignty and health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a practice-informed conceptual framework for strengthening Indigenous food systems.
• To highlight the role of food sovereignty in promoting health and well-being among Indigenous peoples.
• To bridge the gap in understanding the conceptual linkages between food sovereignty and health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a conceptual framework through a community-academic partnership (Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity).
• Emphasis on traditional Indigenous knowledge and culturally centered approaches.
• Focus on systems-level interventions to address health disparities.

Main Results:

• The framework underscores connectedness, including intergenerational knowledge transfer and restored relational responsibilities, as fundamental to Indigenous health.
• It provides a model for understanding how food sovereignty initiatives can promote health and well-being.
• Identifies key components for strengthening Indigenous food systems.

Conclusions:

• Food sovereignty is a critical strategy for achieving health equity for Indigenous peoples.
• Restoring traditional food systems and knowledge is essential for Indigenous health and wellness.
• The conceptual framework offers a pathway for public health to support Indigenous-led food system initiatives.