Learning from Camden’s diverse Bangladeshi community to drive and sustain improvements in their health and wellbeing

The 2016 Healthwatch Camden report examines the health and wellbeing of Camden’s Bangladeshi community and identifies key inequalities, experiences, and actions needed for improvement. The Bangladeshi population is the largest minority ethnic group in Camden and has a younger age profile than the wider population. However, it experiences significantly poorer health outcomes, including much higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and serious mental illness. 

The report highlights several contributing factors to these inequalities. These include lower levels of physical activity, higher smoking rates among men, increased risks of vitamin D deficiency, and a greater likelihood of long-term illness. Despite these challenges, Bangladeshi students in Camden perform well academically, with attainment levels comparable to or higher than borough and national averages.

Engagement with over 280 community members revealed widespread dissatisfaction with access to and quality of GP services. Residents reported difficulties getting appointments, understanding medical information, and receiving timely diagnoses or referrals. They also expressed a need for clearer communication, culturally appropriate support, and better-trained staff in GP practices. 

A lack of accessible health information and preventative support was also a major issue. Many residents felt they did not have enough knowledge about health conditions or how to stay well, and they asked for more community-based activities, particularly for women, as well as health education delivered in familiar and trusted settings. 

Social and cultural factors were found to affect health behaviours. Some residents reported low motivation or confidence to make lifestyle changes, while stigma around mental health contributed to isolation and lack of support. There were also barriers related to employment, such as limited English skills and lack of awareness of available services, which indirectly impact wellbeing. 

Barriers to using leisure facilities and public spaces were identified, especially for women. These included cost, lack of appropriate or women-only sessions, safety concerns, and inadequate information about available services. Similarly, public health services were often seen as not tailored to the specific needs of the Bangladeshi community. 

The report concludes with a set of actions and principles for improvement. It emphasises the need to design services around the needs of the community, work collaboratively with local organisations and faith groups, and empower residents to take an active role in improving health outcomes. Recommendations include improving access to culturally appropriate information, strengthening GP services, enhancing mental health support, increasing community-based initiatives, and ensuring accountability in delivering measurable improvements. 

Overall, the report calls for a more tailored, community-led, and preventative approach to reduce health inequalities and improve the wellbeing of Camden’s Bangladeshi population.