Indigenous Culture and Health in UDRH Research: An Indigenous-Led Narrative Review

Whilst University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) have undertaken research relevant to Indigenous health over decades, understanding of the contributions in the context of culture and health has been largely unexplored.

Through use of culturally appropriate methodology, this Indigenous-led narrative review aimed to summarise how the research has responded to Indigenous perspectives and priorities to provide insights into how UDRH research has considered Indigenous cultural ways, and summarise benefits associated with UDRH studies.

This narrative review analysed published UDRH Indigenous health research using systematic analysis and collaborative yarning.

Thirty-three papers were reviewed. Key themes identified Indigenous involvement and governance, self-determined research, Indigenous research methodologies, culture as a determinant of health and Indigenous perspectives and understanding of health phenomena, which featured across the included studies.

UDRH Indigenous culture and health research studies highlight Indigenous participation and governance in research processes which contribute to positive health and well-being outcomes and build research capacities of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers.