5.2.3

Ethnicity

Test yourself

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.

Illustrative background for Diet and lifestyleIllustrative background for Diet and lifestyle ?? "content

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.
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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.
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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

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.

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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.
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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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

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