Health, Illness, Disability and Black Minorities: A Speculative Critique of Present Day Discourse

The idea of incorporating a user perspective was central to the design of a study looking at services for, and the needs of, Black minorities. The initial assumption of this work was that health, illness and disability are intimately connected to the way people construct their social realities. The ideas and attitudes individuals hold about their health and disability, however, are also organised within a particular discourse. This discourse is not neutral, and a critical understanding that unravels it is necessary. This is the intent of the article, which includes an exploration of the construction of health, illness and disability in western societies and how this is subsequently discussed in relation to Black minorities. At a general level this is addressed with reference to the humanist philosophy which pervades the entire discourse and provides the dominant framework of power in society.