The hard fact is, the healthcare experiences of Black people and White People in Britain are worlds apart.

Many Black people work in the NHS, making up 7.4% of the workforce compared to a working age Black population of 4.4% ²³

Yet in spite of their stellar contribution to the health of others, Black people are failed in all aspects of their own care.

• More white people receive treatment for mental health issues than people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and they have better outcomes post treatment.²⁴
• Black women are more likely to experience a common mental illness such as anxiety disorder or depression. ²⁵
• Black people were 3.5 times as likely as white people to be detained under the Mental Health Act and out of all ethnic groups, black people were most likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act ²⁶
• Black children are 10 times more likely to be referred to children’s mental health services via social services than White children.²⁷
• 75% of Black people aged between 18-34 said they felt discriminated against by healthcare professionals.²⁸

Because of poverty, discrimination, stereotyping and systemic racism, Black people experience worse health and mental health outcomes and have a lower level of trust in health and care services.

The reasons why health disparities exist are complex, and although experiences are not monolithic, data reveals that poverty, discrimination, stigmas and systemic racism have led to poorer health outcomes for Black people in the UK.