Country and the environment are essential components of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing. It is reported that 20% to 30% of Indigenous disease burden can be attributed to environmental factors; however, historically, there has been little coordination between the environmental and primary healthcare sectors in Australia.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has called for increased collaboration between environmental initiatives and primary healthcare to address various health disparities present within Indigenous Australians. This scoping review aimed to identify and analyse best practices that integrate environmental health initiatives and primary healthcare within Indigenous populations.

The findings demonstrate the value of implementing connections between environmental and primary healthcare services in improving Indigenous health. Factors leading to program success included community participation, Indigenous leadership and targeted, place-based interventions. However, there is a general lack of published evidence that sustainably integrates both environmental health and primary care. The limited number of examples demonstrated positive health outcomes, indicating the need for more community-led and Country-centred initiatives within primary care.

Key findings

• Holistic approaches targeting environmental determinants were found to be highly effective.
• High value was found in intersectoral partnerships and community programs.
• An emerging theme of value of Indigenous knowledge integration and caring for Country was seen.
• Targeted interventions were benefited by Indigenous leadership.