The study of ethnicity looks backward into the origins of communal distinctiveness and forward to the fate shared by persons who share that distinctiveness. The concept of ethnicity is a fascinating topic, with much to be learned about its social construction and its impact on health. In this article we will explore the key ideas about ethnicity and its role in conflict.
Inherent biological characteristics
People have long searched for innate “racial” characteristics in an effort to explain the differences between groups. Differences in disease, SAT scores, athletic performance, and more have been linked to ethnicity. For example, whites once thought that African Americans were more likely to die of disease than non-African Americans. Frederick Hoffman attributed the disparities to a “heritable race trait” among Negroes. However, he did not take into account other factors such as poor sanitation and overcrowding.
Some researchers have created a middle ground between biological differences and racial characteristics. These researchers claim that some races have a more common gene form than others, and that these differences are a result of exposure to different kinds of stress. These genetic differences may have important consequences for the health of the population. For example, higher levels of cortisol have been linked to diabetes and obesity, and may also contribute to other health problems.
The concept of ethnic identity is also symbolic, especially among descendants of European immigrants to the United States. The presence of these immigrants, who brought their language and culture to the continent during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, has shaped the ethnoracial landscape in North America. As a result, third and fourth generation Americans have little connection to their ancestral cultures.
Ethnic identity is an active social process, and is both individual and collective. Ethnicity is a shared set of values, beliefs, customs, and lifestyles, which can influence one’s self-identity. To understand this process, anthropologists must examine both social and biological factors.
Physical anthropologists have noted that genetic variation between races varies geographically. For example, northern Europeans tend to be lighter-skinned than southern Europeans and Africans. In addition, Danes, Swedes, and Scandinavians are lighter-skinned than their southern counterparts.
The social and psychological factors behind racial differences are complicated. For instance, although people of the same race may share many traits, the incidence and prevalence of various diseases varies greatly. Thus, policymakers encourage the study of underlying biological differences to understand why ethnic groups have distinct disease patterns.
Sources of conflict
In many cases, conflict is caused by social unrest related to ethnicity. This social unrest can be attributed to a history of conflicts between different groups or to a sense of fear of the future based on previous experiences with other groups. These feelings of fear are a key factor in ethnic conflict and can also be linked to a feeling that the government has failed minority groups.
In multicultural societies, ethnic disputes are common. Such conflict usually takes place during periods of considerable change and uncertainty, and is a precursor to emerging opportunities for political action. Ethnic differences can be particularly exacerbated by religious differences. Consequently, ethnic groups may choose violence as a way to express their differences.
Ethnic conflict is often rooted in competition for scarce resources. These resources include property rights, jobs, education, language rights, and other forms of development allocation. Competition for scarce resources usually begins in organized groups. As the number of groups increases, the demand articulation increases. In these cases, the dominant group may see violence as a legitimate response.
Ethnic conflict in modern societies often has roots in colonial rule. During the colonial era, ethnic groups were divided and isolated, often into separate political groups. Certain sections of society were granted special privileges, or had greater political authority or professions. This created a social dynamic that fueled resentment between groups. As a result, this tension was able to spill over into national boundaries.
The origins of ethnicity are not well understood, but ethnicity is a social contract between individuals. Ethnic groups are formed when two different groups compete for territory or goals. In most cases, these groups have little autonomy. They also often have poor social organization and weak connections among group members.
The solution to ethnic conflict is to create a pluralistic society where ethnic groups are represented. The political decisions of a state should not be based on ethnicity alone.
Impact of ethnicity on health
The UK’s Public Health Agency is supporting a UK-wide inquiry into the impact of ethnicity on health, and has published guidance for employers on how to support BAME workers. SAGE, the society for advancing medical knowledge, has also considered a paper on the impact of ethnicity on COVID-19 incidence and morbidity. The paper highlights the need to increase ethnic diversity in the recruitment of research participants.
In order to find specific studies and data on the impact of ethnicity on health, we searched the PubMed database and the ScienceDirect database using keywords from core texts. We also used ScienceDirect’s function to identify articles on the topic, which links related articles. By searching for relevant terms in these databases, we were able to identify several relevant articles.
Researchers suggest that genetic factors can explain the differences between different ethnic groups. But the evidence is mixed. Genetic factors aren’t a reliable way to classify people. Most studies suggest using self-assessment of ethnicity, which is often problematic, since ethnicity encompasses a wide spectrum.
In order to reduce health disparities, health care providers should provide services in culturally appropriate ways, and offer patient supports such as translators and patient navigators. They should also collect race and ethnicity data on all patients. Furthermore, they should educate their staff and patients about the importance of race and ethnicity data in health. Finally, they should build partnerships with diverse sectors and community members to improve health outcomes for all.
Moreover, ethnicity has been found to be correlated with a range of diseases. African Americans have higher rates of Type 2 diabetes than Caucasians, while people of Asian and South Asian backgrounds have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. Despite this, there is no definitive evidence linking race and genetic differences in the incidence of HIV/AIDS.
Furthermore, ethnic minority groups are more likely to live in areas with high levels of air pollution. In fact, those neighborhoods with populations made up of 20% non-White people tend to have the highest levels of air pollution. These high levels of air pollution can lead to health problems, including breathing problems and long-term illnesses of the heart and lungs.
