ABSTRACT
A study of the health of the Irish in England illustrates nicely the methodological and conceptual difficulties involved in explaining differences in the health status of immigrant groups and the ‘host’ population. A number of studies (Greenslade 1992; Williams 1992) have considered aspects of the health of Irish people in England and this chapter is an attempt to develop the analysis. The question explored is based on the available empirical evidence about the health and illness behaviour of the Irish in England. Although the statistical data presented is by no means conclusive, and indeed is open to question on a number of counts, it could be said to be pointing to the conclusion that the health of Irish people in England remains poorer than that of English people. The question of whether this ‘social fact’ can be explained by showing that many Irish immigrants can be found in social classes 4 and 5 is discussed and the alternative explanation that Irish immigrants may be in poor health before they emigrate to England is also considered. The suggestion that the average health of the Irish in England is made to appear poor because of the existence of a minority who live in hostels or on the streets is another strand which is considered. The economic position of the Irish in England is also discussed. The final section considers the extent to which the poor health of the Irish people in England can be explained by reference to ideas about the culture and identity of Irish people and how these have been shaped by the postcolonial experience and, in particular, the experience of living in the land of the colonial power as an immigrant. The analysis will therefore include political and economic factors and their links with the lived-in culture.
