British Muslims and health: addressing inequalities and promoting access

A one-day Muslims in Britain Research Network conference organised in partnership with Bradford University and the Born in Bradford project.

Numerous studies have shown that British Muslims suffer from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, childhood obesity and genetic and mental health conditions at a significantly higher rate than the wider UK population. Typically, the reasons for these inequalities are described in terms of the higher levels of poverty and deprivation among the British Muslim population. However, the phenomenon of health inequalities is more complex than that. Lower levels of physical activity, dietary practices, gendered notions of fitness and taboos around certain activities all raise questions and require an open and informed discussion between academic researchers, clinicians and those active within British Muslim communities. Such questions are often drowned out, however, by more post-9/11 narratives about British Muslims in society.

This conference seeks to create a space to present new research and debate issues relating to health and health inequalities among British Muslims. It will cover:

• How the concept of disease is negotiated within British Muslim communities in personal, cultural and religious terms vis-à-vis Islamic narratives on the body and health;
• The structural dimensions of the health inequalities among British Muslims, covering the effects of migration, ethnicity, everyday life and government on health issues;
• The possible role of Islamic religious settings and leaders in responding to the challenges of health inequalities among British Muslims.

The conference is being organised by the Muslims in Britain Research Network in partnership with the Born in Bradford (BiB) project (https://borninbradford.nhs.uk/). BiB is a cohort study unravelling the reasons of high rates of illness among children, adults, families and communities, by exploring ethnic dimensions of health and illness. It involves a multi-disciplinary team of researchers. As part of BiB study, Dr Sufyan Abid Dogra is exploring how Islamic religious settings can be used for health promotion in the UK, funded by National Institute for Health Research.

Abstracts are invited for papers addressing any of the themes listed above, or other subjects related to Muslims and physical or mental health. We are happy to receive submissions from academic researchers and community and health workers.

Participants will be asked to present their research in a short format as part of a panel. To participate please send a 250 word abstract to the email address below by the 3rd August 2018 along with a biographical note of no more than 50 words.

Abstract submissions and any general questions should be sent to the conference organisers at [email protected]