From the above it is clearly evident that the differences that have come from the race and ethnicity argument have translated into how health services respond to the needs of bme communities and how bme communities see them as there to address their health needs.

This learning package aims to introduce the key terms in race and ethnicity. A discussion of how these impacts on people's health is left to you for independent study using the following as a guide

• Jot down what you feel are the main health issues related to ethnic minority groups.
• Then go further and suggest why they are so specific to these communities.
• What do you think are the challenges that health workers face in tackling these issues.
• What has been done to assist in improving the health of minority ethnic communities?
• What continue to be the challenges for health professionals?
• Where do you think we will be, in terms of progress in addressing the issues, in 5, 10 or even 20 years?