PSI Press Release

Press Release

Poverty At Root of Ethnic Inequalities in Health

Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Caribbeans have the poorest health of anyone in Britain, because so many are living in poverty, according to groundbreaking new research from the Policy Studies Institute.

Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are 50 per cent more likely to suffer ill-health than whites and Caribbeans are 30 per cent more likely to be in poor health. These are the three poorest ethnic groups in Britain. Indians, African Asians and Chinese, who are closest to whites in income, are as healthy as whites.

The Health of Britain's Ethnic Minorities, by James Nazroo, is the most comprehensive health-check ever conducted for Britain's ethnic minorities. It shows that differences in health are linked to socio-economic status rather than biological or cultural factors, as previously imagined.

'Poor health is associated with poverty' said James Nazroo, author of the research. 'Some ethnic minority groups are among the poorest people in Britain and they also have the worst health. They also appear to be receiving poorer quality health care than whites.'

The research, which is published as Sir Donald Acheson begins his review of inequalities in health, shows that Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are in poorest health and at greatest risk of heart disease and diabetes. Caribbeans have the next poorest health and the highest rates of hypertension and, among ethnic minorities, of respiratory problems.

Among the key findings:

Two-fifths of Caribbean, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis have poor general health, whilst this was the case for only a little over a quarter of Indians, African Asians and Chinese.
Pakistanis and Bangladeshis have a greater risk of heart disease than whites, while Indians and African Asians have the same risk as whites. Caribbeans have the highest rates of hypertension.
All ethnic minority groups have a much greater risk of diabetes than whites. Overall, one member in eighteen of Britain's ethnic minorities has been diagnosed as diabetic. The risk is five times greater for Pakistanis and Bangladeshis than whites and three times greater for Indians, African Asians and Caribbeans.
Bangladeshi men are Britain's biggest smokers (50 per cent smoke) while whites of both sexes are Britain's biggest drinkers (nine out of ten consume alcohol). Ethnic minority smokers are less likely to have kicked the habit than whites.

The report suggests that some health services were failing to meet the needs of ethnic minorities. Unlike other ethnic minority groups, Chinese people appear less likely than whites to consult a GP and all ethnic groups were less likely to consult a dentist. A significant number of Chinese and South Asians who had seen a doctor did not understand the language that had been used. The fact that fewer ethnic minority smokers have managed to break the habit also suggests that health promotion can be improved.

'The quality of health care received by patients appears to be related to their ethnic background' said James Nazroo. 'We need to develop more culturally sensitive services, better targeted health promotion, improved language skills for health care professionals and accessible translation facilities. If the ill-health of ethnic minorities is the result of poverty, then ethnic disadvantage must be central to Sir Donald Acheson's review and the forthcoming government Green Paper.'

ENDS

Contact:

James Nazroo on

0171 468 0468

Notes for Editors:

The Health of Britain s Ethnic Minorities is available from Grantham Books on 01476 541080, priced Ł14.95.
The study was based on a survey of 5,196 people of Caribbean, South Asian and Chinese origin and 2,867 white people were also interviewed to provide a comparison.
Further studies will soon be published by PSI on mental health and ethnicity and the incomes of ethnic minorities.
PSI is a registered educational charity (no 313819) and is not associated with any political party, pressure group or commercial interest.