Ethical governance of artificial intelligence in digital health for Indigenous populations: A narrative review and conceptual framework - Report - MDSpire
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Governance of AI Ethics in Digital Health for Indigenous Communities: A Narrative Review and Conceptual Framework

  • By

  • Amal Khan

  • Alyson S. N. Bear

  • Mairyn Rackow

  • Cassandra Opikokew Wajuntah

  • Kenneth Lai

  • Veronica McKinney

  • John Costa

  • Ivar Mendez

  • August 22, 2026

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Governance of AI Ethics in Digital Health for Indigenous Communities

Overview

This narrative review highlights the ethical considerations necessary for integrating AI into digital health for Indigenous populations.

Background

Health inequities persist globally, particularly affecting Indigenous populations who face barriers in accessing healthcare and decision-making processes. The integration of AI in digital health has the potential to improve health outcomes, but it also raises significant ethical concerns that must be addressed to prevent exacerbating existing disparities.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data was presented in the article.

Key Findings

  • Ethical issues in AI integration include equitable involvement in system design and culturally grounded implementation.
  • Indigenous perspectives and governance must be incorporated into AI development to prevent the reproduction of systemic inequities.
  • Current literature lacks a unified ethical governance framework for AI in digital health specific to Indigenous communities.
  • Collaboration with Indigenous communities is crucial for ethical AI deployment in healthcare settings.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals and policymakers should prioritize the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in the design and implementation of AI technologies.

Conclusion

A collaborative approach is essential for achieving equitable health outcomes.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2026 -- Artificial Intelligence Governance in Health Systems: Systematic Review of Frameworks and Integrative Model Proposal
  2. AACE Endocrine AI, 2026 -- Regulating the algorithms of health care
  3. Governance of artificial intelligence for health systems, WHO European Region - PMC, 2026
  4. aace endocrine ai — Regulating the algorithms of health care
  5. npj Digital Medicine — Enhancing Governance of Healthcare AI with a Detailed Maturity Model Derived from Systematic Review Findings
  6. HHS Artificial Intelligence Strategy & Implementation
  7. Tribal Public Health Data Advancement Toolkit | Data Modernization | CDC
  8. Governance of artificial intelligence for health systems, WHO European Region - PMC
  9. Audit of HHS Governance of Artificial Intelligence | Office of Inspector General | Government Oversight | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  10. HTI-1 Final Rule - ONC - Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
  11. TEC Data Access Guidance | Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs)
  12. The right to health: indigenous data sovereignty in Canada during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic - ScienceDirect
  13. United Nations
  14. Recognising Indigenous data sovereignty and implementing Indigenous data governance at the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change - First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal
  15. Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluating Artificial Intelligence in Cardiovascular Care: A Systematic Review - PMC
  16. Artificial intelligence in cardiovascular care: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials - ScienceDirect
  17. Responsible adoption of multimodal artificial intelligence in health care: promises and challenges - The Lancet Digital Health
  18. Benefits and harms associated with the use of AI-related algorithmic decision-making systems by healthcare professionals: a systematic review - ScienceDirect
  19. Frontiers | Artificial intelligence in clinical medicine: a state-of-the-art overview of systematic reviews with methodological recommendations for improved reporting
  20. Building Equitable Partnerships Between Industry Sponsors and Indigenous Communities to Enhance Engagement in Clinical Trials - ScienceDirect
  21. Promoting equitable patient representation in therapeutic clinical trials by accounting for population disease burden | Scientific Reports

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