A new study has revealed the significant impact of the cost-of-living crisis on discrimination and health outcomes among Black people in the U.K., with rising interest and bank rates associated with deterioration in general and mental health and rising discrimination.
The study , published in the journal Ethnic and Racial Studies during Black History Month in the U.K., is the first to examine the impact of interest and bank rates during the cost-of-living crisis on the health of Black people.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) distributed participation forms during social events in London celebrating 2021 Black History Month. An e-questionnaire was sent to participants between October and December 2021. Follow-up data collection occurred in 2022 and 2023.
A total of 264 people took part in the research in 2021, 235 in 2022, and 223 in 2023, resulting in 722 observations overall. According to the study, during the 2022/2023 cost-of-living crisis, discrimination towards Black people increased by 3.75%, general health decreased by 4.
45% and mental health decreased by 5.62%. Instances of discrimination were associated with a 26.
4% deterioration in general health and a 27.1% deterioration in mental health. Inflation rose from 2.
49% in 2021 to 7.9% in 2022, before falling to 6.83% in 2023.
In the same time period, the Bank of England's base interest rate rose from 0.11% in 2021 to 1.58% in 2022 and further to 4.
81% in 2023. Researchers found that among the participants.