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RESEARCH: Clare Grace, Reha Begum, Syed Subhani, Peter Kopelman, and Trisha Greenhalgh Prevention of type 2 diabetes in British Bangladeshis: qualitative study of community, religious, and professional perspectives BMJ 2008; 337: a1931 [Abstract] [Full text]

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Improving services for ethnic minorities

Rajiv Malhotra   (13 November 2008)

Islam and medicine

Raheel Mohammed   (29 November 2008)

Improving services for ethnic minorities 13 November 2008
Rajiv Malhotra, Senior House Officer Bristol Send response to journal: Re: Improving services for ethnic minorities	Editor. It is clear that the NHS faces a difficult task in making preventative health services more accesible to different ethnic minorities in this country. However, another task is to ensure that the standard of care is maintained. A recent study showed that south Asian diabetic patients were less likely to have their blood pressure and their serum creatinine level measured compared to their white counterparts (1). There may be several reasons for this. Lack of knowledge about different cultural backgrounds may breed confusion amongst health care professionals; also barriers in communication may play a role. We must not focus solely on improving uptake of preventative services amongst ethnic minorities; the NHS has a duty to ensure that the services offered are of the standard we expect. References 1. David C.,Kendrick D. Differences in the process of diabetic care between south Asian and white patients in inner-city practices in Nottingham, UK. Health & Social Care in the Community (2004); 12 (3): 186-193 Competing interests: None declared
Islam and medicine 29 November 2008
Raheel Mohammed, Associate Young Foundation, 18 Victoria Park Square, London, E2 9PF Send response to journal: Re: Islam and medicine	Maslaha, a new organisation being established by the Young Foundation, is concerned with providing greater understanding to healthcare workers about how Islam can touch on all aspects of a Muslim patient's life and how they can use this knowledge to gain the confidence of their local Muslim community. In partnership with Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust Maslaha has produced a website, www.diabetesintowerhamlets.org to help tackle diabetes - and films in both Sylethi and English, successfully combining both medical and Islamic advice. Any trainee journalist will tell you of the importance of thinking about your target audience when writing an article. Information campaigns targeting binge drinking will use a certain language and style to appeal to young people and teenagers born and raised in Britain. Similarly, information campaigns directed at health issues such as diabetes within Muslim communities should look to faith as a useful aid in changing lifestyles. The medical advice then becomes more holistic and accessible rather than simply talking about glucose levels and kidney failure. Competing interests: None declared