Local action on health inequalities – Understanding and reducing ethnic inequalities in health
This resource is available in English only.
This report from Public Health England summarizes data on the determinants of health by ethnic group, aiming to inform public health action. Canadian public health practitioners will be particularly interested to review practice examples of promising local action to address ethnic inequalities in health included in the report, as well as this related blog post.
Integrated approaches to addressing ethnic inequalities in health
To integrate a focus on ethnicity into health equity action, the authors recommend the following approaches:
- Leadership for public health action on ethnic inequality
- Collection, analysis and systematic evaluation of data on ethnicity and health
- Action on the wider social determinants of health that is informed by knowledge of local ethnic diversity, and how ethnic inequality manifests differently between and within groups
- Action on racism and discrimination
- Action on health damaging practices (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, etc.), including interventions that are accessible and acceptable to all ethnic groups
- Action on inclusive and culturally competent healthcare, including action to address institutional racism
The authors also emphasize the importance of meaningfully engaging with people from minority ethnic communities, including patients and staff within the health system.
Use this resource to:
- initiate a discussion about how ethnicity shapes opportunities for health and experiences of health;
- consider how the recommended approaches to integrate ethnicity into health equity action may apply in your public health organization; and
- review relevant practice examples of promising local action to reduce ethnic inequalities in health.
Related resources
- Webinars on racism, anti-racism and racial equity
- Let’s Talk: Racism and health equity (2018)
- Key public health resources for anti-racism action: A curated list (2018)
Tags: Leadership & capacity building, Racism/racialization, Public Health Organization, Report / Document