The Race Equality Foundation has facilitated the co-development of recommendations to address structural racism in London. The recommendations were informed by the Institute of Health Equity evidence review on Structural Racism, Ethnicity and Health Inequalities in London.
The co-production process has involved work with voluntary and community sector, people with lived experience, and statutory partners (London Councils, NHS, Public Health and GLA group). This work demonstrated the importance of co-production approaches with communities. This is a key learning point from the COVID pandemic and core to approaches on tackling structural racism.
On Monday 30th June, the Race Equality Foundation hosted a webinar launching the co-produced recommendations, alongside partners from Greater London Authority, Institute of Health Equity, ADPHL London and Design Working group.
Watch the full webinar below:
Speakers include:
Jabeer Butt, CEO, Race Equality Foundation
Karen Steadman, Senior Manager Health Inequalities, Greater London Authority
Dr Jessica Allen, Deputy Director, Institute of Health Equity
Tracey Bignall, Director of Policy and Engagement Race Equality Foundation
Tumu Johnson, Design Working Group
Safia Marcano, ADPHL ADPH London Programme Manager, Tackling Racism and Inequality Programme
While racial health inequalities are a recognised issue in London, there is still very little research that looks clearly at health inequalities in London through the lens of race. As a result, the information in this resource has been brought together from different places, including national health reports, local council and borough documents, and forward planning reports from Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Together, they help show a wider picture of the inequalities faced by different racial and ethnic groups in London.
Rate of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – Although only 9% of new STIs are in black Caribbean residents in London, they have the highest rate: 2,857 per 100,000, which is twice the rate seen in the white ethnic group. Spotlight on sexually transmitted infections in London: 2022 data – GOV.UK
In Wandsworth, around 43% of people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes and nearly 60% of people with Type 2 diabetes are of ethnic minority origin. SSA EINA Health and Wellbeing strategy
Cardiovascular disease
In Tower Hamlets, there is a high correlation between unemployment and coronary heart disease (CHD), which is most prevalent in the Bangladeshi population. Microsoft Word – CHD JSNA Factsheet
46% of Year 6 students from Black African background in Haringey were overweight or obese, significantly higher than the Haringey average of 38%. In contrast, 34% of white British Year 6 students in Haringey were overweight or obese. State of the Borough profile – December 2024
In Wandsworth, 31% of Black children in Year 6 are overweight or obese, in comparison to only 20% of their white counterparts. State of the Borough Report
Structural racism and socioeconomic inequalities contribute to higher rates of mental health issues among ethnic minoritised groups.
In 2021, the percentage of residents in Lambeth who rate things they do in their life as worthwhile (positive – scores 9–10) was significantly lower amongst Black, Asian, and Multi-Ethnic residents in comparison to white British residents (55% and 74%, respectively). State of the Borough 2022
In 2022, London had the largest unemployment rate difference between white people (8%) and people from the Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic group (5%). Unemployment – GOV.UK Ethnicity facts and figures
Black people (self-identified and officer-observed) are stop and searched 5.5 times more often than white people. The rate is 1.4 times higher for Asians (self-identified) compared to their white counterparts. (Why) do Londoners back stop and search? – StopWatch
Cancer
In Southwest London, those who identify as Black or Asian, with an existing long-term condition, or from the LGBTQI+ community are less likely to come forward with cancer symptoms within 3 months. SWLICBJFP_June2023Final.pdf
If you are aware of any additional statistics, research, or localised insights that highlight racial health inequalities in London, we encourage you to share them with the Collaboration. Your contributions will help strengthen this resource and support a more accurate, inclusive understanding of the issues at hand.
On Friday 7th March 2025, the London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) convened leading health and care professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to explore challenges and opportunities to drive systemic change in tackling health inequalities in the London regions. Delivered in partnership with the Race Equality Foundation and Health Innovation Network South London, the conference provided a platform for collaborative discussions on embedding anti-racist practice in health and social care.
From these discussions key themes emerged throughout the day, underlining the priority areas for action:
Delivering impactful EDI initiatives in a globally challenging environment. Using high-quality data and real-world evidence to demonstrate progress and value for our work is more critical than ever.
There has been clear progress in the development of inclusive public health programmes, workforce initiatives, and the development of best practice frameworks like PCREF and REMI. The next challenge is scaling to a whole-system approach and ensuring all our population benefits from best practice.
We must co-produce solutions with communities, embedding care and services in spaces and places people already use and trust.
The conference was chaired by Dame Marie Gabriel CBE, Independent Chair at the NHS Race and Health Observatory. Delegates were welcomed with a powerful opening remark by Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, reasserting how LARCH is not just a platform for dialogue, but a catalyst for action, championing anti-racism as both a moral imperative and necessary act of leadership in the face of global threats to equity and inclusion.
Professor Peter Goldblatt, Senior Adviser at Institute for Health Equity, examined structural racism in healthcare and disparities in ethnicity data, emphasising how intersectionality, migrations patterns, and systemic inequalities shape health outcomes. Building on the discussion, Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Public Health Director at NHS London, underlined the need for data-driven, systemic approaches that embed anti-racism in leadership, workforce diversity, and community engagement in his keynote address. He acknowledged the challenges of this work but offered an important reminder “We are undoing ways of thinking, ways of being, and ways of interacting with each other, it will take time, but we must stay committed.”
Jabeer Butt OBE, Chief Executive at the Race Equality Foundation, chaired the panel discussion on anti-racism strategies. The discussion highlighted the need for stronger relations and collaboration across sectors, including police and education, to address broader social determinants of health. Key themes included leveraging available data to inform decision-making, building trust through community outreach, and using personal privilege, leadership and existing resources to challenge systemic inequalities.
The afternoon session drew a full house and maintained the positive atmosphere and engagement from the morning. With a focus on practical applications, delegates explored best practices through six in-depth workshops and real-world case studies. Reflecting on the event, Janine La Rosa, Chief People Officer NHS reinforced the collective responsibility to turn insights into practice. Dame Marie Gabriel CBE closed the conference by delivering a call to keep “moving purposely forward, in unity and even greater determination”.
Data is a powerful tool in tackling health inequalities and shaping interventions that improve people’s lives. Despite challenges with the quality of ethnicity data, it remains essential for understanding and addressing disparities in health. This event focuses on how we can use ethnicity data more effectively to create targeted solutions and drive better health outcomes for Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic Londoners.
Who is this event for?
This event is for those in the health and social care sector, and working on health and wellbeing issues: including integrated care systems, public health, and especially middle management and leaders.
Key Contributors
Race Equality Foundation: Ethnicity data quality and consistency
City University: Understanding data to improve outcomes for ethnic health inequalities
Royal Free London NHS Hospital Trust & North Middlesex University Hospital: Data-led approaches to reducing health race inequalities.
NHS England: Exploring the Inequalities Dashboard
The London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH)
This event is an activity of the LARCH programme. LARCH aims to empower health and care organisations to embed antiracist approaches and tackle health inequalities faced by Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic Londoners. Supported by the Greater London Authority and partners, the programme runs from April 2024 to March 2025, led by the Race Equality Foundation and Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London.
Watch an overview of ethnicity data in health from the session here:
Whilst our recent Wellcome funded study did not include care workers, there is little evidence that social care records the is information better. Some work I did in the 1990s painted a similar picture, that there was a variability in recording, with frontline staff being unclear why this information was needed and what was going to be done with it (Jabeer Butt, CEO Race Equality Foundation).
