Planetary Health, Indigenous Knowledge and Healthcare: a Scoping Review

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPlanetary health is a movement to promote a healthy planet as the most important determinant of human health. Indigenous knowledge often encompasses a holistic view of nature and people in a way more akin to planetary health than to healthcare systems based on people alone. A change in healthcare’s worldview could help it become more environmentally sustainable. The aim of this review was to identify gaps in the literature and opportunities for further research at the nexus of Indigenous knowledge, environmental sustainability and healthcare.MethodsWe searched the databases Web of Science, Medline, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed publications with terms pertaining to sustainability or planetary health, human healthcare, and indigenous or traditional knowledge. Papers were grouped by theme. Analysis was descriptive.ResultsThe search process resulted in 10 eligible papers. Studies originated from 4 continents including one from Aotearoa New Zealand. Most (8/10) were published since 2020. Methodology included ethnography, discourse, imagery, descriptive, and quantitative analysis. One paper involved a particular healthcare system while all others considered general aspects of human health as related to the environment and Indigenous knowledge. Themes included 1) the importance of indigenous knowledge, 2) conceptual models that incorporate Indigenous approaches to health and the environment, and 3) the implementation of interventions. Within the limitations of the research available, it appears that Indigenous knowledge could make invaluable contributions to more environmentally responsible healthcare systems and can guide interventions to address planetary health problems.ConclusionLiterature on Indigenous knowledge as related to planetary health and healthcare is limited and recent. There is scope for more research from many different Indigenous groups including Māori in Aotearoa, and scope for more collaborative research between healthcare systems and Indigenous peoples.