Scots health quango blames ‘colonialism, imperialism and slavery’ for modern-day health inequalities among ethnic minorities

Public Health Scotland (PHS) says the legacies of colonialism, imperialism and slavery helped create racial hierarchies that contribute to present-day health inequalities among ethnic minorities. Its briefing describes racism as a fundamental public health issue, arguing that bias can affect access to education, housing and healthcare, as well as clinical decisions and health outcomes.

The report says persistent discrimination may cause chronic stress and earlier illness, drawing on the “weathering” hypothesis and research from Scotland, the wider UK and abroad. It acknowledges that evidence from Scotland is limited, emerging and sometimes dated. Supporters say health agencies should address underlying causes of ill health, while critics question whether concepts such as structural racism risk depicting modern institutions as inherently discriminatory.