Tackling health inequity: a commentary on the potential of acupuncture to improve health outcomes of marginalised populations

Abstract

Background: Health inequities or disparities challenge governments and public health systems, impacting health service delivery worldwide. Inherent disadvantage linked to the social determinants of health is intrinsic to the health outcomes among society’s marginalised and most vulnerable members. It is acknowledged that marginalised individuals present with higher levels of chronic disease, multi-morbidities and adverse health behaviours than their non-disadvantaged peers. Marginalised individuals and communities present with complex health problems and often receive poor quality or inadequate health care that is unable to meet their needs, leading to stigmatisation and perpetuating the cycle of disadvantage. Discussion: Emerging research indicates that there may be a role for acupuncture in managing the health needs of marginalised populations and that when historical barriers to accessing acupuncture treatment (such as awareness, availability and affordability of this therapy) are removed, certain marginalised populations are open to engaging with acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture has been used by low-income, refugee, veteran and ethnic minority groups to manage chronic pain, substance use disorders, stress and the impacts of trauma in conventional health settings such as community clinics and hospitals. There is the suggestion that integrative health settings and group treatment models may improve access and uptake of acupuncture among marginalised groups. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that the sociodemographic profile of acupuncture users is diverse and acupuncture therapy holds potential value in the treatment of marginalised populations. Further research that investigates reframing and expanding the scope of practice for acupuncture is timely and may contribute to tackling health inequity.