Restricted access: aboriginal women and health care in Canada

“Restricted Access: Aboriginal Women and Health Care in Canada” addresses the barriers faced by indigenous women when accessing health care services in Canada. Using the distinction of practical (or needs-based) and strategic (or equity-based) barriers, it highlights the impact of physical isolation, cultural differences, and socio-economic disparities when using health services. However, the emphasis is placed on strategic challenges and more specifically on the impact of marginalization from the mainstream health system, using three different themes in the experience of marginalization: differences in conceptualization of health, the construction of aboriginal women as the “other” and racism. Following the discussion on marginalization, the research addresses some solutions, evaluating their potential to improve indigenous women’s access to Canadian health services.