In the vast tapestry of Latin America’s diverse populations, indigenous communities stand out as bearers of rich cultural heritages, languages, and traditional knowledge systems. However, behind this vibrant mosaic lies a persistent and troubling reality: significant health disparities affecting these groups. Recent research published in the International Journal for Equity in Health in 2025 by Garza and Miguel provides a comprehensive scoping review that uncovers the multifaceted nature of health inequities experienced by indigenous populations throughout Latin America. This review not only highlights the urgent need to address these disparities but also delves into the structural, social, and environmental factors perpetuating them.
Indigenous peoples in Latin America face a disproportionate burden of health challenges compared to non-indigenous populations. These challenges stem from decades of systemic marginalization, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and socio-economic exclusion. The scoping review synthesizes data from numerous studies, revealing that indigenous communities consistently report higher rates of infectious diseases, maternal and infant mortality, malnutrition, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. These elevated health risks coincide with limited access to culturally appropriate healthcare services, underscoring a gap that is both practical and ethical.
One of the pivotal insights from Garza and Miguel’s review is the critical role of social determinants of health in shaping outcomes for indigenous peoples. Poverty, education, housing quality, and food security are inextricably linked to health disparities. The review elucidates how structural inequalities—rooted in colonial histories and ongoing systemic discrimination—continue to obstruct pathways to well-being. For example, indigenous populations often reside in rural or remote areas where healthcare providers are scarce, transportation is inadequate, and facilities lack essential medicines or equipment.
Environmental degradation further compounds health risks. Indigenous territories, often reliant on natural resources for subsistence and cultural practices, suffer from deforestation, pollution, and climate change effects that disproportionately impact community health. Contamination of water supplies with heavy metals or chemicals, loss of biodiversity reducing traditional food sources, and climate-induced displacement are illustrated as significant factors in heightened disease vulnerability. The review emphasizes that protecting indigenous ecological environments is integral to securing their health futures.
Importantly, the scoping review addresses the cultural dimensions of health inequities. Indigenous worldviews on health are holistic, encompassing spiritual, communal, and environmental elements often marginalized by Western biomedical models. Garza and Miguel advocate for incorporating traditional healing practices, respecting linguistic diversity, and engaging indigenous stakeholders in the creation and implementation of health policies. Such cultural concordance not only improves service uptake but also promotes dignity and self-determination.
The healthcare systems in many Latin American countries display systemic shortcomings that amplify disparities. The review catalogues barriers such as discrimination within clinical settings, lack of interpretative services, and health workers’ insufficient cultural competence. These factors cultivate mistrust and discourage indigenous patients from seeking timely care. Additionally, bureaucratic inefficiencies and inadequate funding for indigenous health programs perpetuate inequitable resource allocation. These findings call for institutional reforms focused on equity and inclusion.
Maternal and child health emerges as a critical area of concern. Indigenous mothers face higher risks of complications during pregnancy and delivery alongside limited access to prenatal and postnatal care. Infant mortality rates remain troublingly high in indigenous communities, often linked to preventable causes such as respiratory infections, diarrhea, and low birth weight. The review stresses the potential of community-based interventions including midwife-led care and culturally adapted health education to reduce these disparities.
Communicable diseases persist at alarming rates among indigenous populations. Tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and parasitic infections are prevalent, with social determinants and environmental conditions fostering transmission. Moreover, the intersection of infectious and chronic diseases presents complex clinical challenges, especially as indigenous health services may lack the capacity for comprehensive management. The review calls attention to the importance of integrating disease surveillance and culturally tailored health promotion in indigenous regions.
Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), often associated with urbanization and lifestyle changes, represent an emerging health threat in indigenous communities. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, previously considered diseases of affluence, have become increasingly common, driven by shifts in diet, reduced physical activity, and psychosocial stressors. Garza and Miguel’s review highlights the need for prevention programs that consider indigenous cultural contexts and social realities to effectively curb this growing epidemic.
Mental health issues among indigenous peoples are frequently overlooked despite their significant prevalence. Historical trauma, ongoing discrimination, and socio-economic hardships contribute to elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The scoping review calls for the implementation of mental health services that are culturally sensitive and community-driven, recognizing traditional healing and collective resilience strategies as central components of care.
Education also plays a foundational role in health outcomes. Indigenous populations often have lower educational attainment due to language barriers, poverty, and historic exclusion from formal schooling. This discrepancy limits health literacy and reduces opportunities for economic advancement, perpetuating cycles of vulnerability. The review underlines the positive impact that empowering indigenous youth through bilingual education and culturally relevant curricula can have on community health.
Policy efforts at national and regional levels are critical to addressing these entrenched inequities. However, Garza and Miguel observe that existing health policies frequently fail to adequately recognize indigenous rights, needs, and participation. The review advocates for legislative frameworks grounded in principles of equity, inclusiveness, and intercultural dialogue, aligning with international mandates such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Genuine progress requires empowering indigenous voices and ensuring their representation in policymaking.
The integration of research and data collection methodologies respectful of indigenous epistemologies is another essential facet highlighted. Conventional epidemiological studies may neglect nuanced community-specific factors or perpetuate biases. The authors recommend collaborative research approaches that combine scientific rigor with indigenous knowledge, securing ethical standards and building trust. Such methodologies improve the relevance and impact of health interventions designed for indigenous settings.
Technological innovations offer new avenues for advancing indigenous health equity. Telemedicine, mobile health applications, and geographic information systems can overcome geographical barriers and enhance disease monitoring. Nevertheless, the review cautions that technological deployment must be accompanied by infrastructure development and respect for cultural contexts to avoid exacerbating digital divides. Capacity building within indigenous communities to leverage these tools is equally essential.
In summary, Garza and Miguel’s scoping review consolidates a vast and complex body of evidence demonstrating that health disparities among indigenous populations in Latin America are a pressing public health and social justice issue. The interplay of historical marginalization, socio-economic disadvantage, environmental threats, inadequate healthcare services, and cultural factors create a landscape of inequity that demands urgent, multifaceted intervention. Strategies that embrace cultural respect, community engagement, policy transformation, and innovative technologies hold promise for improving health outcomes and closing the gap.
As the Latin American region strides towards sustainable development and inclusion, the health and well-being of its indigenous peoples must stand at the forefront of public agendas. This review serves as a clarion call for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and indigenous communities themselves to work collaboratively in dismantling barriers and fostering equitable health landscapes. Only through such concerted efforts can the right to health for indigenous populations evolve from aspiration to reality, safeguarding both their vibrant cultures and futures.
Subject of Research: Health disparities among indigenous populations in Latin America
Article Title: Health disparities among indigenous populations in Latin America: a scoping review
Article References:
Garza, M., Miguel, L.A. Health disparities among indigenous populations in Latin America: a scoping review. Int J Equity Health 24, 119 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02495-2
Image Credits: AI Generated
