Improving the health of minority ethnic groups is a central component of the UK government's agenda to reduce social exclusion and inequalities in health. Research to-date strongly suggests that a wide range of factors contribute to the diversity of health outcomes among Britain 's ethnic groups, including: differential access and quality of health services; socio-cultural influences; genetic or biological variation; migration and life events, socio-economic disadvantage and racial discrimination. This suggests the need for cross-disciplinary methods of enquiry and multi-sector intervention.

Furthermore, there is a need for greater dialogue and debate between researchers and the providers of health and social services, and importantly a greater emphasis must be given to participatory and empowering forms of inquiry.

This seminar series will bring academics from a wide range of institutional settings together with policy-makers, practitioners and users in order to share current knowledge regarding the patterns and determinants of health among different ethnic groups and to debate how this knowledge can be put to best practical use.

The series will include six seminars over a two year period in various locations around the UK beginning in February 2005.

A small registration fee will be charged for attendance at the seminars and places will be limited.

A small number of travel bursaries have been allocated to a core group of participants.

For further information please contact the series convenors:

Sarah Salway, University of Sheffield School of Nursing and Midwifery
Kiran Nanchahal, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine