Racial health inequalities persist as a significant concern across the UK, with ethnic minoritised communities experiencing disproportionately poorer health outcomes compared to their white counterparts. For instance, Black women are three times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women. A recent study has found that repeated exposure to racism leads to increased disadvantage and poorer health outcomes throughout life. Despite being one of the UK’s most diverse cities, London is no exception to this rule.
In London, structural racism continues to affect the health of ethnic minoritised communities. For example, individuals from South Asian backgrounds have been found to have lower participation rates in cancer screening programmes, resulting in delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes. People from ethnic minoritised groups, who were also born in the UK, suffer the negative repercussions of structural racism too – with the increasing rate of poor health directly correlating with the length of residence in the UK.
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.
Racial health inequalities in London by disease:
- Maternity
- Rates of low birthweight were highest for Asian and Black groups.
- Infectious disease
- 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
- HIV – in 2022, black Africans were more likely to be diagnosed late than the white population (60% and 30% respectively). Annual epidemiological spotlight on HIV in London: 2022 data – GOV.UK
- Diabetes
- 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
- Respiratory disease
- Asthma – In 2021/2022, 50% of all children and young people admitted to hospital are from minority ethnic backgrounds, compared with 28% white children. Shocking inequality in children with asthma admitted to hospital in London | London City Hall
- Obesity
- 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
- In Richmond a key driver of inequality in Richmond is financial status. A quarter of people from minority ethnic groups, including a third of people describing themselves as Asian, disproportionately referenced cost as a barrier to adopting a healthier diet.
- Mental Health
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.