A Review of Cultural Safety Initiatives in Sports and Arts Activities

Cultural safety has grown from an initial focus on Indigenous communities to encompass diverse social groups, including those defined by age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, and differing abilities. Work on cultural safety has also expanded from healthcare to other settings, including sports and arts activities. This rapid scoping review explores the impact of cultural safety initiatives in sports and arts activities across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada and analyses how included studies defined cultural safety. A comprehensive search of 9 academic databases identified 33 relevant articles, mostly focused on Indigenous populations. Results found that culturally safe sports programmes promoted empowerment, self-determination, and improved health outcomes, while culturally safe arts programmes fostered cultural reconnection and belonging. Key themes in cultural safety definitions encompassed recognising and respecting individual identities; the importance of shared knowledge and mutual understanding; acknowledging colonial histories and systemic discrimination; reducing power imbalances; and understanding cultural practices. Cultural safety is essential for reducing health and well-being inequities and requires ongoing reflection, partnership, and innovation. By aligning the findings of this review with their strategic priorities, public health and other organisations can play a pivotal role in fostering environments where all individuals feel valued and supported in their cultural identity, facilitating improved health and well-being outcomes.