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Inequalities Of Health In Britain Today Essay

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Inequalities Of Health In Britain Today

In Britain today, inequalities of health are common among many different groups of people. Recent comparisons have shown that Britain is in the middle of comparable Western countries in relation to inequalities of health.

Class has a huge influence on health. There is a large gap in how healthy those in lower class groups are compared to those in higher class groups, and many people believe that this gap is widening. For example, the poorest groups in Britain live, on average, 8 years less than those in rich groups, and while only 10% of social class I are obese, 25 % of social class V are obese. This is the same level as in the United States of …show more content…

Following a recent survey, it was discovered that all the poorest places in Britain are in Scotland, which profoundly affects Scotland's health and knowledge of health. In Wester Hailes 9.8% of babies born had a low birth weight compared to the Edinburgh average of 4.8%. In Greater Pilton there are 27% more deaths than average, 31% more cancer deaths and 16% more heart disease, as well as highly above average suicide rates. All these facts tell us that where you live seriously affects your health and the type of health care you receive.

Non-white groups make up only 5.5% of Britain's population, but people in ethnic minority groups are much more likely to describe their health as "poor" of "fair" compared to those of the ethnic majority. Four fifths of Pakistani and Bangladeshi people living in Britain exist in poverty, which is defined as less than half of the average income. Their income is about half of that for whites in the same social class. The women in this ethnic group are also less likely to have had a cervical smear test in the past 5 years. Half of the women who did not attend these tests lacked basic information on the test, did not receive an appointment or did not even know what the test was for. South Asians in Britain are also unlikely to have had the cervical smear test as well as having higher than average

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