PSI Publication Information - The Health of Britain's Ethnic Minorities

The Health of Britain's Ethnic Minorities
Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities
James Nazroo

'I commend this report based on high quality data that identifies socio-economic factors and their impact on the health of black and ethnic minority groups in Britain'

Michael Chan, Visiting Professor of Ethnic Health, University of Liverpool;
Ex-Director of the NHS Ethnic Health Unit

'The most comprehensive study of ethnicity, socio-economic position and health yet conducted in Britain. Essential reading for researchers, policymakers and health professionals'

George Davey Smith, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Bristol

'James Nazroo has ... produced a systematic and thoughtful analysis in this book. This will be required reading for everyone in this field for some years to come and will attract international attention'

Steve Fenton, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Bristol

The Fourth National Survey included an extensive section on health, health-related behaviours and the use of health services. This means that, for the first time, there has been an opportunity to explore the complex relationship between health and ethnicity using a sample that is fully representative of the ethnic groups included. The rich detail of the lives of members of different ethnic groups provided by the survey has also meant that factors which might explain the relationship between ethnicity and health could be directly considered.
Findings presented in the report challenge current assumptions about the uniform pattern of ill-health across broadly defined ethnic groups, such as South Asian'. They also illustrate the importance of socio-economic factors to differences in health, both within particular ethnic groups and when making comparisons across ethnic groups. Consequently, the report challenges the focus on culture and biology as key explanatory factors for ethnic variations in health, with important implications for policy and practice. It also raises important theoretical and methodological issues for research on ethnicity and health.
Ł14.95 paperback ISBN 0 85374 709 1
July 1997 224 pages 234 x 153mm
Fourth National Survey Text
Report number 835