Indigenous peoples' right to health

There are an estimated 370 million indigenous people living in over 70 countries worldwide. They present a rich diversity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and histories yet they continue to be among the world's poorest and most marginalized populations.

In both poor and industrialized countries in which they live, the health status of indigenous peoples is invariably lower than that of the overall population.

Through a number of World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions, WHO is mandated to devote special attention to protecting and promoting the right of indigenous peoples to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health.

• WHO's mandate on indigenous peoples

For an overview of WHO's work on indigenous peoples' health, click here:

• English
  pdf, 510kb
• French
  pdf, 614kb
• Spanish
  pdf, 681kb

WHO Links

• WHO: Indigenous Peoples and Substance Abuse
• PAHO/WHO: Health of Indigenous Peoples
• PAHO/WHO information sheet on Indigenous Peoples
  pdf, 379kb

Related External Links

• International Labour Organization, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples
• UNDP Indigenous Peoples' Programme
• United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
• United Nations Population Fund - Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples

For further information, please contact: HUMANRIGHTS@who.int