How to Decolonize Our Minds and Global Health
Global health has been defined as an area of study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. However, global health has been dominated by Western narratives, perspectives, and interests. Recently, there are growing movements, initiatives and organizations that have been set in motion to challenge these power asymmetries and to decolonize our minds and global health.
Two patients being brought into the Mengo dispensary, Mengo Hospital, Uganda, on wooden and vine stretchers.This file comes from Wellcome Images, a website operated by Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom. Refer to Wellcome blog post (archive)
The historical context of colonization had a significant impact on global health. Colonial powers influenced the healthcare systems, practice, and policies in colonized regions, often to the detriment of the local population.
The historical narrative of global health highlights the colonial efforts towards health care aimed at protecting colonial settlers and administrators from acquiring infectious diseases which were endemic in the tropics. Additionally, colonialism disrupted traditional health practices and systems, leading to the loss of knowledge and practices that had been developed over centuries. Furthermore, the remnant of colonization is still evident in contemporary global health practices, as many health interventions continue to be designed and implemented without taking into account the cultural, social and political contexts of the communities they are meant to serve.
Another example of the impact of colonialism on global health is the development of global health educational institutions and curricula. Many of these institutions were established and designed to train healthcare workers to serve the needs of the colonial powers. The content of these curricula often reflected the priorities and values of the colonizers.
Lastly, the impact of colonization on global health is seen in the power imbalances that exist within and between global health institutions. Many of these institutions are based in high income countries and are dominated by researchers and practitioners from these countries. This has led to a situation where LMIC institutions are often seen as passive recipients of aid and expertise, rather than active partners in the development of global health solutions. This power imbalance has also led to a situation where LMICs are often excluded from decision-making processes that affect their own health due to factors like visa denials.
Therefore, decolonizing global health evaluation is crucial to address these disparities and ensure health equity for all. Decolonization is not only about changing the structures and systems that perpetuate inequalities, but also about transforming our ways of thinking, learning, and acting.
To decolonize our minds and global health, we need to:
Recognize and confront the historical and contemporary legacies of colonialism and racism in global health, such as the exploitation of resources, the marginalization of local knowledge, and the imposition of foreign agendas.
Amplify and celebrate the contributions and innovations of African and other non-Western actors in global health.
Foster genuine partnerships and collaborations in global health that are based on mutual respect, trust, and solidarity, rather than on paternalism, charity, or self-interest.
Embrace diversity and pluralism in global health, by acknowledging and valuing the different perspectives, experiences, and cultures that enrich our understanding and practice of health.
Empower ourselves and others to challenge dominant global health narratives and to create our own stories and solutions that reflect our realities and aspirations.
By decolonizing our minds and global health, we can create a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world for all.
