Research in context
Search strategy
The objective of our search strategy for previous studies was to identify reports that included data for Indigenous health outcomes from two or more countries. We searched the PubMed database from Jan 1, 1982, to Dec 30, 2015, using the terms “population groups” OR “continental population groups” OR “indigenous” OR “aboriginal” OR “tribal” AND/OR “health outcome” OR “health outcomes” OR “health data” OR “health indicator” OR “health indicators” AND/OR “infant mortality” OR “maternal mortality” OR “life expectancy” OR “low birth weight” OR “high birth weight” OR “obesity” OR “educational attainment” OR “poverty” AND/OR “comparative study” [pt] AND “international” OR “cross-national” OR “cross-country” OR (“international”) AND (“comparison” OR “comparative”) AND/OR each of our contributor countries combined against each other. Our search was done in English and the literature identified spans 1982–2014, with a total of 39 journal articles and monographs identified and reviewed. As a quality measure we restricted our review to peer-reviewed journal articles and monographs with defined methods and health and social outcome data sources.
Added value of this report
Our study reports systematically collated health data from across a broader range of indicators and samples of Indigenous countries than in previous studies.
Implications of all the available evidence
These studies and our study report document evidence of poorer health and social outcomes for Indigenous populations than for benchmark populations, noting that there are exceptions in which health is better in Indigenous populations. Additionally, we document gaps in the availability of data. The geographical coverage of this report needs to be extended, as does the range of health indicators. Targeted policy responses are needed, including strategies to improve health-care access for Indigenous peoples and the availability of health data.