A new study by the University of Oxford has revealed a stark health disparity in England: British Bangladeshi men now have the highest rates of lung cancer across the country. The findings, described as the largest and most detailed study of its kind, have sparked urgent calls for targeted health interventions tailored to ethnic communities.
The study, published in late 2024, examined data from more than 30 million people and highlighted the powerful intersection between ethnic background, social deprivation, and cancer risk. Researchers found that while overall lung cancer rates in England are decreasing due to falling smoking rates, the benefits are not being shared equally across all communities.
For British Bangladeshi men, the research uncovered a disproportionately high incidence of lung cancer, especially among those living in the most deprived areas. This inequality, experts say, is not simply a matter of individual lifestyle choices but reflects deeper systemic issues — including socio-economic barriers, cultural stigmas around health, and limited access to early diagnosis services.
Health Inequality Rooted in Structural Challenges
The study’s lead researchers stressed the importance of recognising how place, poverty, and ethnicity intertwine. “Lung cancer rates in England are closely tied to deprivation,” said Dr. Thomas Round, one of the contributors to the study. “But when you layer ethnicity into the equation, the disparities become even more pronounced.”
Smoking remains a significant risk factor, but the report also noted that late-stage diagnoses are more common in ethnic minority communities, often due to a lack of awareness, mistrust in medical services, or logistical difficulties accessing screening.
The findings have prompted renewed scrutiny of public health campaigns that may not be adequately reaching or resonating with South Asian communities. Campaign materials, lung health check invitations, and even stop-smoking services often fail to consider language barriers, religious norms, or cultural attitudes toward illness — all of which can deter early intervention.
Call for Targeted Action and Community-Based Solutions
Health organisations and community leaders are now urging the NHS and public health bodies to engage more directly with British Bangladeshi communities to tackle the issue. This includes increasing the availability of culturally sensitive lung health checks, improving translation and interpretation services, and involving trusted local figures in awareness campaigns.
One such programme, the NHS’s Targeted Lung Health Checks, is already being rolled out in high-risk areas. However, coverage remains patchy, and many campaigners argue it is not reaching enough people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“British Bangladeshi men have been overlooked in too many health initiatives,” said Sultana Begum, a community health advocate based in East London. “It’s time to stop treating minority groups as an afterthought. Health equity should be a priority — not a footnote.”
Looking Ahead
As the UK population becomes more ethnically diverse, public health services are being urged to modernise their approach. This includes designing more inclusive health communications, collecting better ethnicity-based data, and investing in long-term research focused on racial and health justice.
The study by the University of Oxford is a sobering reminder of how deeply embedded inequalities can shape health outcomes. But it also presents an opportunity — a chance to redesign healthcare strategies so that no community is left behind.