HEALTH FACTS & FIGURES RELATING TO THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY

Up until the national census of 2001, there had been no demographic field in any British census that looked at a resident and his or her religion. This meant that all public health data and other statistics had to be based upon "national origin" under the following headings:

	White
	Mixed
	Asian/Asian British (Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi)
	Black/Black British
	Chinese or other ethnic group

For a full classification please view the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) website

The Muslim Health Network is unable to provide the exact "State of health of British Muslims" because the last national health surveys were carried out in 1999 under the old classification/category systems. The 1999 Health Survey of England gave a general view of key diseases and causes of death in the Ethnic/Muslim communities in England.

The results of the 2001 census are now beginning to filter through, and we hope Insha-Allah (God Willing), that British epidemiologists, organisations, policy units and others involved in planning and delivering health services, start monitoring and taking into account these important markers. MHN will attempt to keep you informed on significant policy news and progress on the 2001 census results.

However, for results and analysis of the 1999 Health Survey of England, which was carried out on behalf of the Department of Health, with relation to black and ethnic minority groups, please view Key Health Factors from the 1999 Health Survey or the original Health Survey archive

Please browse the following summaries and links to access official documents and studies commissioned by the Department of Health to help investigate and analyze a variety of ethnic minorities related health issues.

Social Exclusion
Social exclusion is a shorthand term for what can happen when people or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown.

The Social Exclusion Unit was set up by the Prime Minister to help improve Government action to reduce social exclusion by producing 'joined-up solutions to joined-up problems'.
www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk

Acheson Inquiry
In July 1997, twenty years after a previous Labour Government had appointed Sir Douglas Black to chair a working group on inequalities in health, the Secretary of State for Health appointed Sir Donald Acheson, a distinguished former Chief Medical Officer, to lead an independent inquiry. The data review would summarise the evidence of inequalities of health and expectation of life in England and identify trends.

For full details on the Acheson Inquiry please view:

Ziggy Alexander carried out a study by the Department of Health in 1999, to examine the nature and extent of the issues facing the Black, Asian and ethnic communities in health and social care. View the study.

The Black Report is a detailed compilation by Sir Douglas Black outlining health services accessibility and inequalities in health within the UK, published in 1980. Order a copy of the report from the Stationary Office.

KEY HEALTH FACTORS FROM THE 1999 HEALTH SURVEY

Some of the main health components affecting the health of minority ethnic groups within the UK have been presented below. All data has been sourced from the Health Survey of England 1999. For a full menu of the findings, methodology and documentation of The Health of Minority Ethnic Groups from The Health Survey of England 1999, prepared and presented on behalf of the Department of Health, please view

	Smoking
	High Blood Pressure
	Dental Services
	Cardiovascular Disease
	Cholesterol
	Drinking
	Angina & Heart Attack
	Physical Activity
	Psychological Health
	Stroke
	Obesity
	GP Consultantcy
	Diabetes
	Eating Habits
	Hospital Attendance
	Glucose
	Longstanding Illness
	Prescribed Medicines