Cultural Safety and clinical safety: A symbiotic relationship for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities’ health outcomes

In Australia, it is widely acknowledged that Indigenous Australians have been significantly traumatised by invasion, ongoing colonisation and the impact of previous racist government policies, creating cycles of disadvantage and inequality. Racism remains a major determinant of poor health, impacting daily life and wellbeing - central to the national ′Closing the Gap′ intiative. Health administrators and researchers often misinterpret these issues, viewing Indigenous health through a deficit-based lens.