Long-term ill health, poverty and ethnicity

An examination of why there are links between ill health and poverty, and why the consequences appear to be worse among minority ethnic groups. Chronic ill health is now recognised as a major public health and social welfare issue, with significant new policy initiatives in recent months. This report presents findings from a detailed investigation into the experiences of individuals living with long-term ill health and their families. New qualitative material is combined with secondary analyses of national datasets to examine the ways in which long-term ill health has an impact on different aspects of poverty. The report explores the links between long-term ill health and three interrelated areas: employment, welfare benefits, and social participation and social support; covers an ethnically diverse sample in order to explore the relevance of ethnicity for the experience and consequences of long-term ill health; and identifies ways in which current UK health and social policy might better serve the needs of people with long-term health conditions.