Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples
Overview
Indigenous Peoples are custodians and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They possess social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Indigenous Peoples constitute over 6 per cent of the world’s population and are spread across all regions. Globally, there is an estimated 476.6 million Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Peoples' concept of health and well-being is holistic and encompasses spiritual, environmental, cultural, and social dimensions in addition to physical and mental health. They view health as both an individual and a collective right, strongly determined by community, land and the natural environment. Indigenous Peoples’ approach to health is a balance of spirituality, traditional medicine, biodiversity and the interconnectedness of all that exists. This leads to an understanding of humanity in a significantly different manner from that of mainstream society.
Indigenous Peoples often face considerable barriers in accessing medical services and suffer from worse health outcomes than non-Indigenous populations. Life expectancy is estimated to be up to 20 years lower and they are more likely to experience disability and reduced quality of life, and ultimately die younger than non-Indigenous peoples. Indigenous mothers and children experience higher rates of mortality and morbidity.
In May 2023, the 76th World Health Assembly adopted Resolution 76.16 on the Health of Indigenous Peoples.
The resolution requests the WHO Director-General to develop a Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples, in consultation with Member States, Indigenous Peoples, relevant UN and multilateral system agencies, as well as civil society, academia and other stakeholders, in line with WHO’s Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors, taking a life-course approach, with a particular emphasis on reproductive, maternal and adolescent health, and with a specific focus on those in vulnerable situations, and bearing in mind local context.
The development of the Global Plan of Action is led by the Department of Gender, Rights, Equity and Sexual Misconduct Prevention, WHO.
2nd Draft (March 2026) – Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples (2027-2040)
The second draft of the Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples (2027–2040) is now available for review and consultations.
Global snapshot (as of June 2025)
Global data on Indigenous Peoples’ health remains limited, mostly due to the lack of ethnicity-disaggregated health information. Still, available evidence shows that Indigenous Peoples face worse health outcomes than non-Indigenous populations in every region, shaped by persistent structural, economic and cultural inequalities. These include higher maternal and infant mortality, greater prevalence of chronic and communicable diseases, lower life expectancy and barriers linked to land loss, discrimination, economic insecurity and systemic exclusion.
Regional issues:
- Africa: Indigenous communities experience high rates of disease, maternal and infant mortality and communicable illnesses. Challenges include limited access to care, poor infrastructure, systemic discrimination and forced displacement.
- Americas: Chronic illness, mental health issues and poor maternal care are widespread. Health outcomes are shaped by historical trauma, structural inequities, discrimination and lack of culturally inclusive services.
- South-East Asia: Maternal mortality and mental health are major concerns. Barriers include workforce shortages, insufficient infrastructure and lack of culturally competent care.
- Europe: Indigenous Peoples face high rates of chronic illness and mental health conditions. Displacement and loss of cultural identity continue to impact well-being.
- Eastern Mediterranean: Data is scarce, but existing information points to economic, cultural and geographic barriers to care.
- Western Pacific: Life expectancy gaps are stark. Chronic disease, maternal and child health disparities and intergenerational trauma are key challenges.
Progress on development of a Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples
Following the adoption of resolution WHA76.16, the Secretariat initiated a process to develop a Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples, in consultation with Member States, Indigenous Peoples, relevant United Nations and multilateral system agencies, civil society organizations, academia and others. Actions to date include:
- Launch of a WHO webpage to communicate progress and provide information about the health of Indigenous Peoples;
- A review of existing evidence with Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers in 2024;
- An input session in Mexico City organized by PAHO* with the Government of Mexico, with Indigenous leaders and representatives working on Indigenous health in Ministries of Health of five countries (Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
- A side event at the 2025 UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to raise awareness BOUT the development of the Plan;
- Development of the first draft, with inputs from Indigenous experts;
- Global call for inputs in mid-2025: Published the first full draft of the Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples and invited Member States, Indigenous Peoples, relevant United Nations and multilateral system agencies, civil society organizations, academia and others to provide written inputs;
- Consultations with and inputs from WHO/HQ programmes, WHO Regional Offices and the Interagency Support Group on Indigenous Issues (IASG);
- Cataloguing and cross-analysis of all inputs, followed by the development and refinement of the second draft*Note: The draft Plan is also informed by learnings from PAHO’s Strategy and Plan of Action on Ethnicity and Health 2019-2025.
Upcoming events
2026
March
April-June
- Consultations convened by all 6 WHO Regional Offices
- EMRO Regional Consultation — 20 April
- EURO Regional Consultation — 22 April
- SEARO Regional Consultation — 4–8 May (exact date TBC)
- PAHO Regional Consultation — 4–8 May (exact date TBC)
- AFRO Regional Consultation — 27 May
- WPRO Regional Consultation — 8–9 June
- Virtual UNPFII preparatory webinar-style event on “Indigenous leadership in health
June
- Integration of changes based on previous input sessions and release of the third draft of the Global Plan of Action.
- Overview synthesis of inputs received through hearing series with Indigenous Peoples made publicly available.
- Global consultation with Permanent Missions in Geneva
September
- Costing produced for the Global Plan of Action
October
- GPA submitted to WHO Governing Bodies
2027
The final draft global plan of action will be submitted for consideration by the Eightieth World Health Assembly in May 2027, through the 160th session of the Executive Board in January 2027.
