Indigenous Australians Seek Greater Access to Cultural Medicines

Southern Cross University researchers have released a new study indicating that, for First Peoples communities, cultural medicines continue to be a cornerstone of health and well‑being even as access to conventional physical medicines remains limited. The research, which surveyed Indigenous participants across several regions, found that while traditional healing practices are deeply valued, the lack of readily available ingested, inhaled and topical pharmaceuticals is a pressing concern.

The study highlights that participants view access to physical medicines as a top priority, citing difficulties in obtaining essential drugs and the need for reliable supply chains. It also underscores the complementary role of cultural medicines, noting that many respondents use both traditional remedies and modern pharmaceuticals to manage health conditions. The findings suggest that health policy must address both the preservation of cultural healing practices and the expansion of physical medicine availability to meet community needs.

These results point to a dual strategy for improving Indigenous health outcomes: strengthening support for cultural medicine traditions while simultaneously enhancing access to conventional medical treatments. The research calls for targeted interventions that bridge the gap between traditional and modern healthcare systems in First Peoples communities.