5.2.3
Ethnicity
Cultural Explanations for Ethnic Inequalities in Health Chances
Cultural Explanations for Ethnic Inequalities in Health Chances
The majority of ethnic minority groups have poorer health than the White British majority. This would suggest that social and economic factors (and not biology) are the main reasons for poorer health chances of minority groups.
Diet and lifestyle
Diet and lifestyle
- Differences in diet and lifestyle, for example:
- Black Caribbean and Bangladeshi men have higher rates of cigarette smoking than the general population.
- Asian diets are often high in fat, leading to obesity and heart disease.
- A national shortage of sites for Roma and Traveller communities (as well as the pressure of being constantly on the move) means that they suffer from poor health.
Language
Language
- Language difficulties (especially amongst older Asian women, some Asian men and asylum seekers and refugees) can lead to a lack of awareness of health risks and failure to take up screening services or obtain advice and treatment.
Beliefs and values
Beliefs and values
- Beliefs and values may also lead to some minority ethnic groups refusing help from outside the family due to a belief that people should be cared for within the community.
Other Explanations for Ethnic Inequalities in Health Chances
Other Explanations for Ethnic Inequalities in Health Chances
The majority of ethnic minority groups have poorer health than the White British majority. This would suggest that social and economic factors (and not biology) are the main reasons for poorer health chances of minority groups.
Material/structural explanations
Material/structural explanations
- Ethnic minorities are more likely than White British people to live in poor housing and in the more deprived areas, with fewer and less easily accessible healthcare services.
- Ethnic minorities are more likely to be working class, and are around twice as likely as White British to be living in poverty.
Racism and discrimination
Racism and discrimination
- Some minority ethnic groups are more likely than white people to be:
- Living in the worst housing.
- Be unemployed.
- Be working long hours.
- Doing shift work in low paid manual occupations.
Racism and discrimination cont.
Racism and discrimination cont.
- The fear of racial abuse and harassment can create a stressful environment and adversely affect health when compared to those who to not face such pressures.
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
Jump to other topics
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
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