Culturally Safe Epidemiology: Oxymoron or Scientific Imperative

Overview

Journal Pimatisiwin

Date 2010 Oct 27

PMID 20975852

Citations 27

Authors

Mary Cameron

Neil Andersson

Ian McDowell

Robert J Ledogar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Since the early 20th Century, epidemiological research has brought benefits and burdens to Aboriginal communities in Canada. Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit continue to view Western research with distrust; quantitative methods are perceived as especially inconsistent with indigenous ways of knowing. There is increasing recognition, however, that rigorous epidemiological research can produce evidence that draws attention and resources to pressing health issues in Aboriginal communities. We present a framework for culturally safe epidemiology, from the identification of research priorities, through fieldwork and analysis, to communication and use of evidence. Modern epidemiology and indigenous knowledge are not inherently discordant; many public health opportunities arise at this interface and good science must begin here too.

Citing Articles

Experimental studies testing interventions to promote cultural safety, interculturality or antiracism in healthcare: protocol for a systematic review.

Sarmiento I, Rojas-Cardenas A, Zuluaga G, Belaid L, Cockcroft A, Andersson N BMJ Open. 2024; 14(1):e077227.

PMID: 38171628 PMC: 10773383. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077227.

Decolonizing Epidemiological Research: A Critical Perspective.

Adebisi Y Avicenna J Med. 2023; 13(2):68-76.

PMID: 37435557 PMC: 10332938. DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769088.

Supporting intersecting cultural needs of gender and age by increasing cultural safety and humility for Housing First initiatives.

Fang M, Canham S, Battersby L BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):1005.

PMID: 37254119 PMC: 10227820. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15955-7.

Shifting paradigm from biomedical to decolonised methods in Inuit public health research in Canada: a scoping review.

Belaid L, Budgell R, Sauve C, Andersson N BMJ Glob Health. 2022; 7(11).

PMID: 36323455 PMC: 9639062. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008311.

The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples around the Globe: Ensuring and Promoting Best Practice in Research.

Griffiths K, Diaz A, Whop L, Cunningham J Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(1).

PMID: 35010521 PMC: 8751189. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010261.

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