Health Inequality

Cardio Wellness as an organisation was setup specifically to tackle health inequality, raise awareness and educate the local community at a grass root level on key health issues affecting certain ethnic groups in the UK.

Specifically:

• People from South Asian populations (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) have a higher incidence of coronary heart disease (50% higher) than the general population in the UK and a 300% higher incidence between the age 30 to 40.
• There is a high incidence of mental health issues amongst BME populations.
• Incidence of diabetes is 4-5 higher with BME groups
• Smoking prevalence is greatest amongst routine & manual workers.
• African Caribbean men (UK) are 3X more likely to be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Specifically regarding cardio vascular disease:

97% of South Asians in UK do not realize they are at an increased risk because of their ethnicity.

A recent study showed that despite this nearly one-in-five South Asians do nothing to improve their heart health.

There are certain established risk factors for heart disease that are more common within the South Asian community, such as high levels of smoking, low rates of exercise and low HDL (the good cholesterol).

The risk was higher for South Asians living in the UK, than for those living in their country of origin.

The topic of ethnicity and disparities in outcomes from coronary heart disease in the United Kingdom has only recently been given the importance it deserves.

There are also differences in health between the ethnic groups. In April 2001 Pakistani and Bangladeshi men and women in England and Wales reported the highest rates of both poor health and limiting long-term illness, while Chinese men and women reported the lowest rates.

Age-standardized limiting long-term illness:
by ethnic group and sex, April 2001,England & Wales

Is there inequality in health care?

Evidence shows that South Asians are less likely to be prescribed lipid lowering medication (for reasons that are as yet unclear) and more likely to decline and drop out from cardiac rehabilitation programmes. In addition they are more likely to present with atypical symptoms after myocardial infarction, which may delay diagnosis and optimal intervention.

The observed inequality may partially be a result of the "attitude of not taking advantage of the health service, "lack of awareness of coronary heart disease," and the "linguistic and cultural barriers" seen in this population.