Racism in healthcare is costing lives, new AHRC report finds

A new report from the Australian Human Rights Commission says racism in Australia’s health system is driving illness and premature death. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other racially marginalised communities are most affected.

Health inequities in Australia: A scoping review on the impact of racism on health outcomes and healthcare access synthesises evidence from 100 studies. It finds racism -systemic and interpersonal – is a critical driver of poor health, chronic illness and premature death. It also documents mistrust of services due to discrimination, neglect and stereotyping.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said the findings are a wake‑up call. ‘This report confirms what communities have been saying for decades: racism in the health system is not just unfair—it can kill,’ Commissioner Sivaraman said. ‘When people are denied care, misdiagnosed or treated with suspicion because of their race, the consequences are not theoretical. They can be fatal.’

Commissioner Sivaraman said confronting racism is essential to closing the gap. ‘We cannot close the gap in health outcomes without confronting the racism that underpins it,’ he said.

The report maps reforms, including cultural safety standards, accessible anti‑racism training, expanded interpreter services, support for Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse‑led health initiatives, recognition of historical trauma, stronger anti‑discrimination laws and a federal Human Rights Act, job security and workplace protections, diverse voices in policymaking and governance, and longitudinal and intersectional research.

‘Racism is a public health emergency,’ Commissioner Sivaraman said. ‘We need to treat it with the same urgency and seriousness as any other threat to life.’ He added, ‘We need the federal and state governments to commit to the health-based recommendations in the National Anti-Racism Framework.’

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said:

“This important report again highlights the prevalence of structural racism and the impacts of racism on health in Australia. Racism harms social and emotional wellbeing and increases the risk of chronic disease for those who experience it. Racism in healthcare is preventable. The RACGP has a zero tolerance approach to racism and we call for implementation of the AHRC National Anti-Racism Framework and for cultural safety to be embedded across general practice and the broader health system. Governments implementing Closing the Gap Priority Reform three will be a crucial enabler for this.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said:

“Racism makes First People’s unwell, and racism is stopping first people from getting better. It’s unacceptable that First peoples are dying from diseases that have been eradicated in the rest of population decades ago. This needs to urgently change.”

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association General Secretary Shaye Candish said:

“We all have a shared duty to address racism and chart a positive path forward for all communities.” She added: “Alongside the Australian Human Rights Commission, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) is committed to working with governments, employers and agencies to stamp out racism in the health and aged care systems.”

“We endeavour to bring about meaningful change for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those from other racially marginalised communities by finding permanent and scalable solutions to mitigate racism in health and aged care workplaces.”