Social factors key to ethnic health differences in England

New research has emerged which strengthens the case for addressing the socio-economic factors which influence people’s health.

A study of the healthcare received among different ethnic groups in England, has shown that there is very little difference in the level of primary NHS care available to ethnic minorities compared to white people.

The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, focused on the healthcare for people with diabetes, raised cholesterol or high blood pressure.

The equal access to healthcare for these conditions suggests that other factors, such as social and economic factors, must therefore account for the health inequalities which exist between ethnic minorities and whites in England.

“While inequalities in the care received may exist for some conditions and other health care settings, particularly internationally, the implication of our research is that ethnic inequalities in healthcare are minimal within NHS primary care,” said Professor James Nazroo from the University of Manchester, who led the research.

Even where there are differences in access to healthcare, these are also likely to be due to social determinants, according to a major WHO study on health equity.

“Inequities in health care are related to a host of socioeconomic and cultural factors, including income, ethnicity, gender, and rural/urban residency,” the report says.

“The argument for a coherent approach to health equity through action on the social determinants in all socioeconomic and socio-cultural contexts is unequivocal,” the report adds.

More information about the study led by Professor Nazroo can be found on this page of the website of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The WHO report on health equity can be found here.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net