Ethnicity and Health Inequalities (SDL 4)

Question 1

What is the difference between race, culture and ethnicity?

Answer 1

• Race is characterised by physical appearance, is determined by genetic ancestry and is permanent.
• Ethnicity is a sense of belonging and is a group identity that is determined by social pressures and psychological need and is partially changeable.
• Culture is a set of behaviours and attitudes of a group, is often determined by one’s upbringing and choice and is impermanent.

Question 2

Define acculturation.

Answer 2

The process of taking on the cultures of the host country in which one lives / has migrated to.

Question 3

List 4 processes involved in acculturation.

Answer 3

1 - Assimilation.

2 - Integration.

3 - Separation.

4 - Marginalisation.

Question 4

Define assimilation.

Answer 4

The process whereby a person becomes fully integrated into a new country where their language and culture resemble that of the host community.

Question 5

Define integration.

Answer 5

The process whereby a person takes on the cultural norms of the new country but also maintains their original culture.

Question 6

Define separation.

Answer 6

The process whereby a person maintains their original culture and rejects that of the country to which they have migrated.

Question 7

Define marginalisation.

Answer 7

The process whereby a person rejects their original culture and the new culture.

Question 8

Which process of acculturation is thought to be best for mental wellbeing?

Answer 8

Integration.

Question 9

List 2 races which are at particularly high risk of developing diabetes.

Answer 9

1 - South asian.

2 - African-caribbean.

Question 10

Which countries are known as the ‘diabetes capitals of the world’?

Answer 10

India and China.

Question 11

List 2 countries / areas of the world in which infant mortality is twice as high as in Britain.

Answer 11

1 - Caribbean islands.

2 - Pakistan.

Question 12

List 2 populations that are at particularly high risk of developing mental health problems.

Answer 12

1 - Minority populations living in the UK.

2 - Irish people.

Question 13

List 2 examples of health inequalities for African-Caribbean people.

Answer 13

1 - African-Caribbean populations are 3-5x more likely to be diagnosed and admitted to hospital for schizophrenia.

2 - African-Caribbean people are more likely to enter mental health services via the courts or police than through usual routes from primary care.

Question 14

List 2 health inequalities for Asian people.

Answer 14

1 - Suicide is high in young Asian women compared with other groups.

2 - Indian men are more likely to suffer from alcoholism.