Work

Global Approaches to Indigenous Wellness: Factors of Wellness, Populations and Health Conditions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction/Background Globally, Indigenous wellness encompasses many names and concepts but commonly takes a more holistic approach than Western views of wellness. Methods Our Indigenous (Comanche, Diné/Navajo, Hopi, Ohkay Owingeh, Ojibwe) research team, Writing Research Indigenous Team Expanding Scholarship (WRITES), sought to determine the state of Indigenous wellness literature and conducted a systematic literature review utilising PRISMA criteria. Literature from 2013-2023 was reviewed and articles were examined for: 1. quantity of literature published; 2. populations reported on and what populations are being overlooked; 3. presence or absence of Indigenous research methodology and methods; and 4. thematic content analysis. Findings from the thematic analysis were utilised to create a participatory/culturally responsive figure based on positive factors of wellness, as visually presented by our research team. Results Thirty-two articles met inclusion criteria. Six of these articles included Indigenous methodologies (theories and framework), and two included Indigenous methods (talking circles). Thematic analysis revealed themes: 1. Wellness Factors; 2. Indigenous Sub-Populations; 3. Wellness and Health Conditions; and 4. Traditional Health/Medicine. Discussion Only six of 32 articles included reference to Indigenous theory/frameworks and or methods. Future work in this space should centre Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. Several specific Indigenous populations are overlooked when it comes to their wellness, such as Two-Spirit and Indigenous University students. The culturally responsive figure we created may act as a tool to enhance communication among patients, healers and healthcare providers and organisations when it comes to wellness.

Source: Journal of global indigeneity.

DOI: 10.54760/001c.164673