Letter

Scientific racism

Dear healthmatters — Reviewing research on ethnicity and health, I have been struck by the marginalising attitude of some authors towards ethnic minorities and how frequently there are implicit criticisms of the health-related behaviour of ethnic minorities.

For example, with regard to coronary heart disease an editorial suggested that ‘the Asian community must act for itself’, in addition to proposing a nation-wide health promotion strategy for Asians. ¹ But is it normal practice to suggest that other ‘at risk’ groups e.g. women at higher risk of breast cancer, must ‘act for themselves’ in reducing their risk?

In a different paper on hip fracture epidemiology, a higher incidence of hip fracture in elderly Asian men was found compared with white men, and Asian women had a lower incidence than white women.²

The authors discussed, though presented no evidence, how ‘post-operative mobilisation and nursing care are hindered by language barriers. Cultural differences in the way that families participate in after care may also play a part’ and talked of the ‘considerable’ financial implications for the extra bed-days required for Asian patients.

Finally, ignoring the results in women and the similarity of age/sex standardised rates of hip fracture in white and Asian groups, the paper concluded that ‘proportionately more resources will be required to cater for the needs of the ageing Asian population than for their white counterparts’.

No data are produced to support such a claim, nor do the data in the paper support them. I was left concerned as to what the purpose of such a claim might be.

The dangers of such innuendo, published anywhere, are obvious. The need for careful appraisal of data about ethnic variations in health is paramount.