Engaging Black and Minority Ethnic Groups in Health Research

Abstract

Recently, there has been a surge of interest in addressing ethnic health inequalities. However, there are misconceptions about Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups that focus on them as being hard to reach and difficult to engage in health services and research. This term is used routinely across all sectors of society. However, what is apparent is that they are “not hard to reach”, but rather health services and research “are not reaching” them, by assuming that health and health practices are experienced equally and services are effective for all. This publication illustrates how this term plays a debilitating role in problematising BME people. It is argued that we need to shift away from the using this term because it contributes to exclusionary practices and has implications for escalating inequalities in health and healthcare access for BME groups. The chapters in this book explore some of the exclusionary practices that occur in health research and practice and provides guidance for practitioners and researchers on how to avoid misconceptions about BME groups. Chapter 1, outlines understandings of key concepts and misconceptions about terms such as race and ethnicity. Chapter 2, explores the relationship between race, ethnicity and health and examines why ethnic health inequalities are occurring. Chapter 3, focuses on how we can improve research in this field to advance inclusionary practice. In the remaining chapters, principles of good practice and how to implement them by means of real research examples from the field are presented.