Cultural Diversity in Britain - Essay Example

Running head: Cultural Diversity Cultural Diversity Insert Insert Grade Insert 09 May Outline I. Introduction II. Ethnicity and race III. Ethnicity and race theories IV. Health care status for ethnic minorities V. Contributing factors to existing disparities VI. Steps to achieve racial equality in health care systems VII. Recommendations VIII. Conclusions IX. Works cited Introduction [LO1] [LO2] Health and health care disparities are differences in the health status of individuals in a society caused by various structural, environmental, and social inequalities. Existing inequalities in economic, power, education, housing, and social and health access lead to increased mortality rates for affected groups. In Britain, blacks and other minority ethnic groups have existing poor health status attributed to ethnic and racial discrimination in health care access and quality. These groups have low socio-economic power that leads them to experience higher incidences of diseases, ill health, and mortality due to unfavourable circumstances (Nazroo 284). The advancement of social justice and push for health equity have changed from traditional measures of health status from death rates to the society experience of unpleasant health and impairment, physical ill health and mental health issues and physical & cognitive challenges that make the daily activities of these individuals challenging (Graham 2). There has been a gradual and consistent evaluation by research and policy focusing on the well being status rather than ill health (Ryff and Singer 28). Ethnicity and Race Racism is prevalent in the British society. According to a national representative survey by the UK policy studies institute, 20-26% of white participants admitted to having prejudice against Asian, Caribbean and Muslim ethnic minorities (Modood et al 40). Racial and ethnic constructs in the current world are increasingly becoming difficult to grasp because of the complexities of their use and definitions and the changing dynamic world (Harris 2). Race is the biological classification of individuals, and it categorizes people based on their physical features, character, and genetic composition, while other people use social classes to categorize people (Spickard 14). These qualities and characteristics of people have traditionally been used by some sections of Europeans to group people into classes with Europeans being superior of all races, followed by Asians and Native Americans, and lastly Blacks being inferior to all other races (Spickard 14). The skin colour determines the racial identity of a person with individuals having the same colour categorized as being from the same race. Racial classification of people uses blanket generalization and stereotyping of people without any consideration of individual capabilities and differences in tradition, culture, religious or political belief systems. Ethnicity classifies people from the same origin who share the same culture, language, and traditions in the larger society (Yinger 200). Ethnic identity can be used as the basis of discrimination because of inherent differences in social behaviours, perceptions, and language but also makes people who have same customs and traditions to identify themselves to particular ethnic groups, consciously and unconsciously (Ott 188). Negative ethnicity makes certain ethnic minority groups to be blamed for problems within a larger society. The perception towards the ethnic minority groups is that of being inferior and ignorant. They can be stigmatized because of higher prevalence of certain diseases like HIV/AIDS due to their immediate environment. In 2001, the ethnic minority groups in England composed 7.9% of the entire population with 4.6 being Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi, 2.3% being Caribbean and black people and 2% being Irish (Johnson et al, 7). [LO3] Ethnicity and Race Theories Critical race theory postulates that race is the primary face of discrimination and oppression rather than social economic class (Tara 91). Inequalities exist between races, classes, and gender forming systematic structural prejudice in the general public on the basis of access to formal employment, heath care, and economic opportunities. Racism promotes marginalization through discriminative schooling, education, housing and social services for capitalistic objectives of superior races. Generations after generations continue to reproduce these conditions in an effort to maintain the existing social economic inequalities. The creation of different classes of people through immigration laws, structural barriers to healthcare and education promote the exploitation of the black and ethnic minority groups as they continually serve the superior races that benefit from the cheap labour from these marginalized groups. Social classes created on the basis of race, sexual characteristics, sexuality, and religion exposes lower classes to discrimination, prejudice, and abuse among other attacks. These chiefly expose them to economic exploitation at all fronts. People from poor economic backgrounds have higher incidences of ill health, and lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity (Hurst 247). However, in some instances these groups are primarily responsible for their situation as they do not utilize education opportunities open to all people. [LO4] Health Inequalities Health inequalities are evident in the quality of health, health care services level and health care access experienced by black and ethnic minority groups in Britain. Health disparities are usually evident at birth with differences in birth weight, infant mortality, and subsequent physical and mental development. This can be avoided through adequate strategies (Bombardier 705). Social and structural discrimination results in the younger members of black and ethnic minority groups developing mental development issues. Higher emotional, hyperactivity and conduct disorders in these communities characterize the mental development issues. These health inequalities persist in the life time of the black and ethnic minority groups resulting in higher death rates, lower life expectancies, and low quality of lives for this people. The health problems assume slanting patterns with the lowest members of the social classes experiencing more poverty, psychological, and physical ill health problems (Graham 9). The prevalence of diabetes in the white population is 2.4% with black and ethnic minority groups experiencing 5% higher prevalence rates (Johnson et al 7). Type 2 diabetes prevalence, which can be genetically transmitted, is 6 times higher in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi compared to the white people and three times higher in African and African Caribbean people compared to the whites (Johnson et al 7). Thelassaemia and sickle cell anemia are genetically inherited diseases with Thelassaemia more common in people from Southern Europe, Middle East, and South Asia (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi), and Africans having higher prevalence of sickle cell anemia than all other races (Johnson et al, 8). [LO5] Heart Diseases Mortality from cardiovascular diseases is 50% higher in ethnic minority groups from Asia followed by the black population; with some ethnic populations experiencing lower rates of mortality from the general population (Johnson et al 9). Mental Diseases Racial biases affect equal provision of health care through preformed notions and ideas about particular ethnic groups. In Britain, misdiagnosis of severe mental health disorders is common among people of African origin compared to the general white population (Westwood 247). Kidney Failure Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, African and African-Caribbean communities have higher incidences of diabetes and hypertension that can lead to renal failure. There is a 3 times likelihood of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and African- Caribbean’s developing end of stage renal failure compared to the general white populations, probably due to health inequalities in treatment and outcome (Johnson et al 6). Cultural differences between minority ethnic groups and health care providers in their traditions, behaviours, and diets may contribute to some groups having diseases related to their diet and customs. There are also inherent differences in the way different people approach health issues with some ethnic minority groups following unique traditional practices and customs, which may contribute to health inequalities. Different lifestyles may also contribute to positive or negative health inequalities with positive health inequalities being found in Sikhs, and Muslims non smokers (or who do not take alcohol) and hence have lower incidences of lifestyle related diseases compared to the rest of society. [LO5 Contributing Factors to Existing Disparities Health and health care inequalities are as a result of direct and indirect forms of racism and ethnic differences. The health and health care quality and experience form patterns of dissatisfaction in the black and ethnic minority groups. This may affect their willingness and likelihood of seeking medical interventions and services because of reinforced perceptions and mistrust in the British health and health care system. Racial and Ethnic discrimination may lead to black and ethnic minority groups living in poor and congested neighbourhoods without adequate resources and infrastructure. These conditions predispose them to specific diseases. Low rates of intermarriage and low population numbers limit their genetic pools making them have higher rates of genetically inherited diseases. Lack of health equity leads to more mortalities and ill health in these groups because of existing prejudice, discrimination in care, and provision of adequate treatment. The lack of ambulatory services and necessary infrastructure hinders adequate access to these services due to the poor economic statuses of black and ethnic minority groups (Brook et al 433). The failure of the National Health Service and other national health organizations to cater professionally for the wants of minority groups may be termed as institutional racism (Macpherson 8). Health professionals would be engrossed in mastering efficient methods of communication to language challenged minority groups. At the same time, it would be in the interest of this minority groups to understand the English language for efficient communication. The lack of adequate and specific legislations and policies in the provision of health care to minority groups that caters for the inherent differences in ethnic and cultural practices may lead to inadequate provision of quality health services. [LO6] Recommendations All stakeholders and the government need to initiate and develop interventions targeted at reducing the health inequalities experienced by the black and ethnic minority groups. Health and other services may result in poor outcomes, in black and ethnic minority groups, because of racial prejudice against them during treatment, and employment. This discrimination is present and illegal but may be done consciously or unconsciously and it contributes to segregation of black and ethnic minority groups in low paying unskilled jobs and locations, increasing their heath inequality. The idea behind the creation and development of the national health services is to cater for the larger white majority. It had no provisions for the rising minority populations, creating a persistent health inequality gap. Black and ethnic minority groups need exceptional considerations in the National Health Service mandate to cater for cultural and language barriers. Policy makers need to come out with strategies that would cater for all ethnic groups to reduce health inequality in Britain. I work in a community link center and we are lucky to have one Asian and one Pakistani as coworkers, and they too complain of the rampant stereotyping and discrimination in the health care systems. However, they conquer that, though, it is difficult to access quality care, culture and traditions are mostly to blame for lack of quality care provision because most blacks and ethnic minority groups are unable to articulate their needs and wants properly due to expected mode of behavior for women and men. These have preformed expectations of low quality care provision, which hinders their demand for some services. I deal with a lot of black and ethnic minority women and children, and it is evident that we have different traditions and cultures as pertains to parenting, breastfeeding, and children rearing. There is an urgent need for training of all community and health workers on the cultural differences and expectations and the accepted behaviors when dealing with these groups and this can increase their health outcome. One of the leading causes of inefficient and non beneficial health care provision is language barriers between health care practitioners and patients. Language compatibility between health providers and patients increase satisfaction and health outcomes (Ngo-Metzger et al 330). The British health care system should incorporate interpreters in health institutions who would facilitate increased and efficient communication between patients and health care operators. This can be done through adoption of a standard protocol for language categories based on race and ethnicity and incorporate viable plans to integrate interpreters, translators and cultural oriented training, which would improve patient -healthcare provider communication. This would be facilitated by the health providers understanding the cultural beliefs and language of the patients. The standard care protocols developed to cater for race and ethnic groups would save time. This would increase the health providers understanding of disease demographics and outcomes of the black and ethnic minority groups. Disparity in mortality rates across all races and black and ethnic minority groups is partly due to differences in income (Sorlie et al 347). The occupation, education, and income determine a person’s social economic status and are largely responsible for a person’s health (Graham 3). Black and ethnic minority groups in Britain have low incomes and predominantly live in poor neighbourhoods with poor housing, local services, and high level of crime. These neighbourhoods have direct and indirect influences on their children’s intellectual development and adult health (Davey et al 403). The poor social-economic status in these groups expose them to myriads of challenges and obstacles that leads to reduced happiness and increased health problems and psychological stress, which contributes to the existing health inequalities (Watt 253). There needs to be more conclusive research on the contributing factors to poor health outcomes in black and ethnic minority groups. The social and structural discrimination of black and ethnic minority groups needs to be addressed in a more committed and conclusive manner. Conclusion Health inequalities exist in different levels across all races, ethnic groups, gender, social classes, and disabled persons. Health equity should be the primary objective of all stakeholders in the health sector. The government should put in place strategies and resources to reduce existing health disparities with a long term objective of fully reducing health inequalities in the Britain society. The major cause of inequalities in health care is the poor social-economic status of all immigrants and resident black and ethnic minority groups (Graham 19). It is necessary for all stakeholders to strategically improve factors that lead to low social economic statuses of these groups. Equal education and employment opportunities should be provided for all through enactment and strengthening of existing labour and anti racism laws to combat this phenomenon. There have been many gains in the quality and accessibility of health care for all ethnic groups and social justice. This is evidenced by better health status for all people. However, there still exists a widening gap between the health status of socially economic empowered people and social-economic people (White et al 35). This gap should be reduced through concerted efforts by all and especially notable provisions for ethnic minority groups, disabled persons, lesbians, homosexuals and transgender persons who usually experience the greatest health inequalities. This can be done through sensitization of health care staff and community care workers who can pinpoint cases that need immediate interventions. There is a pressing need for accurate data on the contributing factors to health inequalities for black and ethnic minority groups. The existing data is deficient in pinpointing the exact causes of higher prevalence and patterns of several diseases on the black and ethnic minority groups; probably caused by lack of inclusion of these ethnic minority groups in surveys due to their population and distribution patterns. All inclusive data need to be collected to enable the accurate interpretation of factors that lead to health inequalities. 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