Comment and analysis on key issues on ethnic health inequalities in health and social care.
The Windrush Generation endured the worst of racism and anti-blackness. It wasn’t just the ‘colour bar’ ‘that they endured but the ongoing issues of the impact of empire and colonisation. And we need to recognise, too, that racism and injustice can still be experienced today.
As the Patient Safety Commissioner, my role is to champion the voice of patients and my goal is that every patient will feel that their voice and views matter – and that means all patients.
I came to the UK when my family moved from Kenya in 1968. It was a time when racism was overt in society, with signage in windows of flats to let openly stating “no blacks” and racial attacks such as “paki-bashing” were commonplace.
General interventions and medications such as hydroxyurea, morphine and blood transfusions were hit and miss, usually giving relief for a period but the sickling would return with vengeance.
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed underlying inequalities in society and amplified them. Three striking features of the pandemic in Britain illustrate. First, is the social gradient in mortality from Covid – the greater the deprivation of area of residence, the higher the mortality rate.
The Nationality and Borders Bill stands to leave thousands in limbo by focusing on how they arrived in the UK, rather than their need for help.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us. Millions across the country have acquired or been diagnosed with the infection, with thousands suffering its debilitating medium and long-term effects.
In recent times, there has been greater awareness of Black History Month. Dr Chuks Nwuba, a speciality doctor in eating disorders, argues that this should be leveraged to improve the mental health stigma endemic in the Black community.
COVID-19 has painfully exposed the devastating impact inequalities in our society can have. With the benefit of hindsight, we cannot afford to leave our ethnic minorities communities behind this winter. Dr Halima Begum, CEO of the Runnymede Trust, on the case for door-to-door vaccination units.
