Cohort profile: The DASH (Determinants of Adolescent Social well-being and Health) Study, an ethnically diverse cohort

Abstract

Ethnic differences in chronic diseases in adulthood in the UK are well known but the causes and the stage of the lifecourse that these differences emerge are poorly understood. Every 10 years in the UK, death rates by social indicators are derived using data from death records and from censuses. In every decennial report since 1984, the highest death rates for coronary heart disease were reported for South Asians (people of Indian subcontinent origin) and the highest death rates for stroke for people of Caribbean or directly African origin.1–3 The latter two groups, particularly in men, have had half the national coronary mortality rate, although recent evidence suggests a change particularly for Caribbeans. All of these groups have excess glucose intolerance and African-origin people more hypertension.4–6 Other traditional risk factors, such as smoking or cholesterol levels (previously lower in Caribbeans) only partially account for differences in cardiovascular risk, although among Caribbeans excess stroke risk is directly related to rates of high blood pressure. Poorer mental health is also known for some ethnic minority groups.7,,8 For example, the prevalence of schizophrenia is higher in migrant and British-born Black Caribbeans.9,,10