Ethnic Health under the Microscope

Delegates will hear from a series of distinguished experts with extensive experience of minority ethnic health issues, including:

Dr Rashmi Shukla - (West Midlands Regional Director of Public Health)
Professor KK Cheng - (Professor of Public Health at Birmingham University)
Professor David Sallah - (National Director CSIP/ NIMHE BME Programme*)
Dr Paramjit Gill - (Senior Lecturer in General Practice at Birmingham University)
Dr Iona Heath - (Chairman of Royal College of GPs Inequalities Group).

In addition, delegates will be participating in a range of workshops, facilitated by national experts, providing an opportunity to discuss a range of topics including child health, screening services, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and sexual health.

Findings from the conference will be fed back to policy makers both within and outside the NHS.

Dr Rashmi Shukla said:

“The UK is not only diverse in terms of its population but also diverse in terms of the health challenges that different communities face. For example; men from Bangladeshi communities tend to smoke more; there are higher rates of sexually transmitted infections amongst African-Caribbean communities; higher rates of cancer amongst Irish born people; Asian communities face challenges when trying to access health screening services and many different communities face difficulties accessing mental health services”

She added:

“This conference is important because it provides individuals and agencies involved in health and healthcare an excellent opportunity to tackle the health inequalities experienced by minority ethnic communities in the UK”.

‘One Nation, Many Voices: Different Needs, Choices’


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For further information, contact Nigel Smith, West Midlands Public Health Group on 0121 352 5327 or 07879431370.


Notes for Editors:

· The West Midlands has the second largest population of minority ethnic peoples (14% of the population) after London (40%). The England average for minority ethnic population is 13%.

· Bangladeshi people (living in England) are less likely to be employed in managerial / professional jobs

· Bangladeshi and Black African children living in England are more likely to receive free school meals (an indicator of poverty)

· Irish born people living in England and Wales have the highest Standardised Mortality Rates (SMRs) for cancer and for all causes of death

· Bangladeshi communities (living in England and Wales) have the highest death rates from Coronary Heart Disease and the highest rates of smokers amongst men

· Black and South Asian people are less likely to have mental health problems noted by their GPs

· Women born in India or East Africa have a 40% higher suicide rate than women born in England & Wales