Where Are the Irish in Research on Ethnic Health Inequalities in Britain? A State‐Of‐The‐Art Literature Review
2025

Irish Health Inequalities in Britain: A Literature Review

Sample size: 140 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Rosalind Willis

Primary Institution: Department of Gerontology, University of Southampton

Hypothesis

Why has interest in the health of the Irish in Britain declined despite ongoing health inequalities?

Conclusion

The Irish in Britain continue to experience significant health disadvantages, particularly in mortality, mental health, and alcohol use.

Supporting Evidence

  • The Irish in Britain have higher mortality rates compared to the general population.
  • Health disparities persist across generations among the Irish in Britain.
  • Recent research often combines the Irish with the White British, obscuring their distinct health needs.
  • The Irish experience significant barriers to accessing health services.
  • Socioeconomic status and gender disparities contribute to health inequalities among the Irish.

Takeaway

This study looks at how Irish people in Britain are often overlooked in health research, even though they have unique health challenges.

Methodology

A state-of-the-art literature review of 140 papers on Irish health in Britain from 2001 to 2023.

Potential Biases

The review acknowledges the author's personal bias as a member of the group under study.

Limitations

The choice of databases may have excluded key articles, and the subjective nature of the state-of-the-art review methodology may be criticized.

Participant Demographics

The study focuses on the Irish population in Britain, including White Irish, Irish Travellers, and Irish people of color.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/shil.v47.1.e1387403

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