Ethnic health inequalities and the NHS

Ethnic health inequalities and the NHS
NHS Health and Race Observatory 15 June 2021

• This report argues that the NHS has not made significant progress in reducing ethnic health inequalities in recent years because it has not acted on this issue as a clear priority. There has also been a lack of progress made in ensuring equality of experience and opportunity for the NHS workforce. It goes on to argue that there is now an opportunity to address this by taking urgent action to address critical gaps in the NHS’s capabilities to tackle ethnic health inequalities, and by building a broad health inequalities focus into new healthcare structures as a key priority, while supporting NHS staff to drive change.

Ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 mortality: A consequence of persistent racism

Ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 mortality: A consequence of persistent racism
Runnymede Trust January 2021

• Analysis of the ethnic inequalities in COVID-19-related deaths and how to mitigate them.

Ethnicity, race and inequality in the UK

Ethnicity, Race and Inequality in the UK
Policy Press 2020

• A free to download commentary by some of the UK’s foremost scholars of race and ethnicity on data relating to a wide range of sectors of society, including employment, health, education, criminal justice, housing and representation in the arts and media. 
• Chapter 4 Health inequalities by Karen Chouhan and JamesNazroo p73-92

Coronavirus and the social impacts on different ethnic groups in the UK: 2020

Coronavirus and the social impacts on different ethnic groups in the UK: 2020
ONS 14 December 2020

• Estimates from the Understanding Society: COVID-19 Study, 2020, UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) and Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS) to explore the social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people from different ethnic groups in the UK.

Understanding how discrimination can affect health

Understanding how discrimination can affect health.
Health Serv Res. 2019 Dec;54 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):1374-1388. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13222.

• A review of research linking self‐reports of racial discrimination to health status and health service utilization.

Working together for a healthier post-Covid future

Working together for a healthier post-Covid future
The Strategy Unit October 2020

• This analysis, commissioned by the Healthier Futures Academy in the Black Country and West Birmingham, illustrates the effects that a Covid-driven recession could have on population health. Modelling undertaken by the Strategy Unit estimates that the socio-economic impacts alone could generate additional demand of up to 16% for physical health services and 27% for mental health services. It frames a discussion about how the NHS, with other local organisations, can more effectively address the causes as well as the effects of ill health.

Tackling health inequalities for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and colleagues

Tackling health inequalities for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and colleagues
West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership 22 October 2020

• The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every child, adult, family and community in West Yorkshire and Harrogate with some of the biggest impacts experienced by the most economically disadvantaged and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities (BAME).
• This review specifically aimed to understand this impact on BAME communities and staff. The aim was to review existing work, to explore if this work was sufficient to address this impact and to identify recommendations for action to reduce this impact.

The black community and human rights

The black community and human rights
Joint Committee on Human Rights September 2020

• As part of the Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry into Black people, racism and human rights, the committee commissioned research about black people’s experiences in the UK in relation to whether they feel their human rights are equally protected. The research found, among other things, that the majority of black people (more than 60 per cent) in the UK do not believe their health is as equally protected by the NHS compared with white people.

Covid-19 and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

Covid-19 and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
House of Commons Library 17 June 2020

• This pack was prepared ahead of the debate to be held in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 18 June 2020 on the effect of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.
• The debate follows two publications from Public Health England (PHE) looking at the effect of Covid-19 on Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities:
• Covid-19: review of disparities in risks and outcomes, PHE, 2 June 2020
• Beyond the data: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups, PHE, 16 June 2020

Sources of statistics on inequalities between ethnic groups

Sources of statistics on inequalities between ethnic groups
House of Commons research Briefing 16 June 2020

• This paper provides a list of links to statistical and other related resources on differences by ethnic group in a range of topics including health, justice, employment and income. Material is listed by type of resource (e.g. House of Commons Library publications, Government publications, independent reviews).

NHS Race and Health Observatory

NHS Race and Health Observatory [Press release]
NHS Confederation, NHS England 30 May 2020

• The NHS Race and Health Observatory, which will be hosted by the NHS Confederation, will identify and tackle the specific health challenges facing people from BAME backgrounds.

BAME COVID-19 DEATHS – What do we know?

BAME COVID-19 DEATHS – What do we know? Rapid Data & Evidence Review
CEBM 5 May 2020.

• Evidence indicates markedly higher mortality risk from COVID-19 among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, but deaths are not consistent across BAME groups.

Equality diversity and inclusion at the time of crisis and beyond,

Equality diversity and inclusion at the time of crisis and beyond, 

NHS Confederation blog, 28 April 2020

• Call to action for NHS chief executives to ensure BAME representation in decision making during COVID-19 and beyond

The impact of COVID-19 on BME communities and health and care staff

The impact of COVID-19 on BME communities and health and care staff
NHS Confederation 23 April 2020

• This briefing considers the evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on black and minority ethnic (BME) communities and health and care staff. It explores potential underlying factors, recommends areas for improvement and offers practical advice on how to mitigate risks. Intended for senior health and care leaders, it aims to inform decision making and influence change.

In Focus: Experiences of older age in England

In Focus: Experiences of older age in England
Independent Age 15 April 2020

• Evidence also shows that many people aged 65 and over are facing significant challenges and major inequalities exist. This project explores the reality of life for older people whose voices can be less often heard in debates about ageing and what is important for people in this age group. It has focused on the experiences of specific groups of older people: people with mental or physical health conditions; people providing informal care; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups; people on low incomes; and people without children.

Coronavirus information and resources - Race Equality Foundation

Coronavirus information and resources
Race Equality Foundation updated 2 April 2020

• Impact of coronavirus and resources.

Access to and interventions to improve maternity care services for immigrant women: a narrative synthesis systematic review

Access to and interventions to improve maternity care services for immigrant women: a narrative synthesis systematic review.
Health Serv Deliv Res 2020;8(14) March 2020

• A review of the available evidence suggests that the experiences of immigrant women in accessing and using maternity care services in the UK are mixed; however, women largely had poor experiences. 
• Contributing factors included a lack of language support, cultural insensitivity, discrimination and poor relationships between immigrant women and HCPs. Furthermore, a lack of knowledge of legal entitlements and guidelines on the provision of welfare support and maternity care to immigrants compounds this.

Racial disparities in mental health

Racial disparities in mental health: Literature and evidence review
Race Equality Foundation 13 March 2020

• This analysis of the persistent racial disparities in mental health draws on published research and insights from two events and conversations across the sector. The report covers Prevalence, Access, Assessment, Treatment and Recovery and outlines actions for commissioners which could help to address the disparities.

Structural racism in precision medicine: leaving no one behind.

Structural racism in precision medicine: leaving no one behind.
BMC Med Ethics 21, 17 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-020-0457-8

• Precision medicine (PM) is an emerging approach to individualized care. It aims to help physicians better comprehend and predict the needs of their patients while effectively adopting in a timely manner the most suitable treatment by promoting the sharing of health data and the implementation of learning healthcare systems. PM initiatives need to pay special attention to the discriminatory and harmful impacts that structural racism could have on minority groups involved in their respective projects.

Abstract

Workforce Race Equality Standard 2019 report

Workforce Race Equality Standard 2019 report
NHS England 13 February 2020

• The WRES report enables organisations to compare their performance with others in their region and those providing similar services, with the aim of encouraging improvement by learning and sharing good practice and provides a national picture of WRES in practice.
• Commentary HSJ 20 February 2020 : Disabled staff face more bullying and unfair treatment