Ethnicity and Health Flashcards
Describe the concept of race and its relationship to health
Race concentrates on assumed biological or genetic differences between groups of people.
This was previously used to differntiate people of idfferent races as different species and supported racist views and segregation. Also used as a basis for assumptions that genetic features are significant for health with the suggestion that races were biologically distinct.
However, there is no evidence for this scienfically. There is also not a large contribution of genetics to the overall health of the population.
Therefore race is not a useful concept for trying to identify and understand ethnic inequalities in health.
What is racialisation>?
Refers top the social processes which creates the conditions for groups to be recognised as races.
This involves the negative evaluation of particular somatic features and assigning individuals showing those features to a general category which is seen to reproduce itself biologically.
What is meant by ethnicity?
Defined by cultural traditions and a common long shared history, with no reference to biological or genetic traits.
Seperate ethnic groups share a cultural tradition of their own , including family, social customs and manners.
Ethnicity is a social phenomenon which refers to individual and social identity.
What is meant by culture?
Concentrates on shared values, experiences and beliefs. Therefore members of particular ethnic groups may not share the same cultural experiences or attitudes.
Why is it important to consider ethnicity and culture in healthcare?
Ethnicity and culture play a significant role in patient’s attitudes and access to healthcare. This can lead to assumptions based on patterns within that group - sterotyping.
Awareness is important in order understand patient preferences, but you cannot make assumptions about what these might be, or not offer services based on assumptions.
Describe the demograophic characteristics of ethnic minorities in the UK
The majority or ethnic minority groups are concentratted in the main urban areas. Nearly half live in London (30% of all residents), the second largest is in the West Midlands (12%)
Historically the distribution of ethnic minorities are due to the settling patterns of economic migrants following the war. Specific groups tended to settle in areas of industry where their skills were or where family and friends were already living.
These patterns of migration also impacted the economics and health of these populations.
What are the 5 explanations put forward for ethnic inequalities in health?
Genetic/biological
Cultural
Migratory
Social deprivation
Racism
Genetic explanations of ethnic inequalities in health
Genetic and biological explanations of ethnic health inequalities are based on the concept of genetic homogeneity within groups.
However there is not a biological transposition in racial groups. Some congenital anomalies and diseases are strongly influenced by genetic factors however genetic differences cannot explain the inequalities in health.
Cultural explanations of ethnic inequalities in health
Community practices and tradiotions influences each other’s habits and health behaviours. Therefore the poorer health of ethnic minorities is associated with their health beliefs and behaviours.
However this assumes that particular cultures are harmful or that the factor causing harm is inherent in these people. It neglects the social character of ethnicity and detaches health experiences from the social context.
e.g. “Asian rickets” blamed on poor diets of the asian community, and failed to recognise that most staple foods of the Asian diet had not been fortified with Vitamin D
Migratory explanations for ethnic inequalities in health
Migrants generally have better health that those in their country or origin, and are selected by health characteristics.
Health of migrants tends to revert to the mean standard of the population of origin, producing a relative decline in health compared to the health in the country of destination.
Individual experience of migration occurs alongside social and economic influences. The reason for migration can have a longer term effect on psycological health e.g. war, famine.
Note: ‘Salmon bias’ phenomenon. People return to their country of origin when ill, and could artificially reduce mortality rate of migrant populations.
How can the differences between first and second generation migrants be explained?
Experience of migration may have a direct impact on health (e.g. social and economic upheaval)
Contemporary social and economic experiences are different in first and second generatiion migrants
Exposure to particular risk factors in childhood can impact adult health and health behabiours
Generational differences driven by culture differences
How are social circumstances related to the ethnic pattern of health
Socio-economic factors make a major contribution to ethnic differences in health. More important that other factors (e.g. cultural)
The ethnic patterning of health mirrors the patterning of socio-economic inequality in ethnic minority groups. Most ethnic minority groups experience social deprivation.
Explain what is meant by racism
Conduct or words or practices which disadvantages people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin. Can be subtle or overt.
What are the three types of racism
Direct: people are treated less favourable because of their ethnicity or religion
Indirect: people unaware of their actions undermining the position of people from ethnic minority groups
Institutional racism: collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin.
Attitudes, behaviour or processes which result in discrimination through predjudice, ignorance and racist sterotyping which disadvantage ethnic minorities.
How can racism affect the health of ethnic minorities?
Racism is a daily experience for many ethnic minority groups.
The lived experience of racism is vital to understanding what contributes to ethnic health inequalities.
Direct experiences of racism and racial harassment results in health differences
Indirect experiences of racism can have more of an effect mental health e.g. fear, worry, stress
