Why ethnicity and racism matter to health

Ethnicity and racism can affect health through people’s susceptibility to diseases and conditions, the discrimination they may experience, and the way in which health services should be provided.

For example:

1. People of African origin formed just over 5% of the minority ethnic population in Scotland in 2001, but represented 33% of the psychiatric patients in hospitals who were from ethnic minorities.
   
   
2. Female service users from several minority ethnic groups have strong preferences for dealing with only female health care staff. Gender issues can play an important factor in the uptake of services.
   
   
3. A survey on psychiatric illness rates amongst ethnic minorities found that depression was most common among Indian and Pakistani people.