Abstract
There is a dearth of comprehensive literature relevant to the relationship between settler colonialism and health outcomes of Indigenous peoples residing in the United States (U.S.). Critical analysis of settler colonial determinants of Indigenous health will help to further shape discourse, research priorities, and policy relevant to Indigenous population health and disease distribution. This thesis will bring awareness to settler colonialism, propose relationships between settler colonialism and health outcomes, and identify specific settler colonial determinants of Indigenous health to help guide development and use of nursing theory. This dissertation argues that the structure of settler colonialism threatens and implicates the health of Indigenous peoples residing in colonized nations. The dissertation supports Patrick Wolfe's assertion that settler colonialism is a current-day structure of elimination and will build upon this notion by providing analyses to identify pathways, processes, and determinants of the embodiment of settler colonialism. The project further encourages readers to identify the presence and influence of Eurocentric power relationships between structural and systemic settler colonial determinants and Indigenous peoples, often resulting in oppressive and traumatic experiences. The exposure to exogenous hazards and continual stress and trauma resulting from settler colonialism may lead to high levels of allostatic load and/or epigenetic dysregulation. For example, Indigenous women in particular are affected by settler colonialism which may result in disproportionate maternal health disparities such as high blood pressure during pregnancy. This project will increase understanding and awareness of settler colonialism as a current-day structure and a significant determinant of Indigenous health.
Sigma Membership
Beta Eta at-Large
Type
Dissertation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Indigenous Women, Health Disparities, Indigenous Health, Settler Colonial Determinants
Advisor
Lisa Bratzke
Second Advisor
Anne Ersig
Third Advisor
Wan-Chin Kuo
Fourth Advisor
Lonnie Nelson
Degree
PhD
Degree Grantor
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Degree Year
2024
Recommended Citation
Thomas, Nicole A., "Settler colonial determinants of indigenous health: Relationship between indigenous women's level of allostatic load and high blood pressure during pregnancy; a secondary analysis of the Strong Heart Study" (2024). Dissertations. 146.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/dissertations/146
Rights Holder
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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.
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Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2024-06-10
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 31297297; ProQuest document ID: 3054193813. The author still retains copyright.