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eople don’t have
these problems.’
Student, Ludlow
‘The young Chinese people don’t smoke – we don’t know anyone who smokes. But the older
generation do have this habit.’
Student, Ludlow
In the Health Survey for England (1999)6, Chinese children were less likely to report ever
having smoked and respiratory symptoms were also less common in Chinese children
compared to the general population.
The students expressed a need for greater flexibility in GP opening hours so that they did
not have to miss lessons to see their GP. Apart from a need for interpreters for family/friends
who spoke little or no English, there were no other issues of concern or need. A health
needs assessment conducted in Leeds showed that the issues concerning young people
from minority ethnic groups (including Chinese) were similar to those concerning young
people generally7.
5.8. Overcrowding
Data from the 2001 Census suggest that a higher proportion of Chinese children were
residing in overcrowded accommodation in Shropshire Co,unty and Telford & Wrekin. The
percentage of Chinese children residing in overcrowded accommodation was nearly 3 times
higher than that for the total population in Shropshire County and 1.5 times higher in Telford
& Wrekin (unweighted; Appendix A: 5. Dependent children in households). Indeed, the
questionnaire sample in this study might also suggest overcrowding, particularly in
households working in the catering trade (Table 4; Household composition). The information
drawn from the questionnaire sample might also present a truer picture of occupancy given
the unofficial nature of the questionnaire.
21
5.9. Social support networks
In Shropshire County, there was evidence for a need for better social networks and contact
with other Chinese people. In the main, this was fulfilled by travelling to Birmingham (where
there is a high concentration of Chinese people) where they could purchase supplies from
Chinese supermarkets, see private Chinese doctors, attend health talks at the Chinese
community centre and had personal contacts or friends. Health talks were found to be
‘useful, you get to find out more because there are other people there who might have their
own experiences’.
Takeaway, female
The lack of a Chinese community centre was mentioned by 2 interviewees. In major cities
with large Chinese populations, Chinese community centres are known to play an integral
role in combating social isolation experienced by elderly/retired Chinese. The dispersed
nature of the population in a rural county such as Shropshire may pose a problem, not just
for elderly Chinese but for those isolated by language and culture.
The feasibility of expanding the geographical and functional remit of the Chinese Cultural
Centre in Telford should be investigated. Funding, organisational capacity and demand for
services would be key questions.
The Centre currently provides services to residents of Telford and Shrewsbury. The
geographical distance of other towns in Shropshire County may so far have excluded access
to this facility – principally a Chinese language school for children.
While the Cultural Centre fulfils a role as a wider determinant of health, it could assume a
direct role in promoting better health by becoming a focal point for delivery of health
information, providing
i) a Chinese-language health resou