Between 2021 and 2023, The Bahu Trust worked closely with Birmingham City Council and Public Health, having been commissioned to produce research and findings related to health inequalities within Birmingham among Muslim and minority populations. A data-driven, evidence-based publication, exploring health inequalities, areas of health and wellbeing affecting the Muslim population, and recommendations for health programmes and activities has been developed in collaboration with the Council. This toolkit and corresponding focus groups established a clear link between health disparities within Muslim and ethnic minority groups, as compared with other demographics. 

This publication also identifies the link between health and wellbeing, and the teachings of Islam which urge Muslim populations to attend to their bodies, physical and mental health, entrusted to them by God as an “amanah”, responsibility.

The toolkit includes research and findings linked to health inequalities in Birmingham, and explores topics which predominantly affect Muslim and minority populations, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, mental illness among adults and the elderly including Alzheimer’s and Dementia among other topics.

The toolkit has been written in hopes of raising awareness and understanding of health inequalities, and prevalent health concerns among the community in order to better address these issues in a holistic, proactive way. Each toolkit chapter first allows us to consider a specific area of health for example, Conception and Pregnancy, and provides an up-to-date well-researched overview including facts and statistics on this topic to offer the bigger picture. It then provides important signs, symptoms or tips related to this area of health, such as men’s important role and involvement when a woman is pregnant, pregnancy care, maternity and paternity rights, as well as helpful recommendations. It also cites relevant teachings from the Qur’an and Hadith to support its findings, and captures examples of best practice among the Birmingham community, spotlighting mosques and institutions which are working to improve community health and wellbeing. 

This toolkit can influence the choices, behaviours, and thinking of the community at large and work to support and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the population. 

All topics covered in the Toolkit:

Promoting healthy eating and preventing obesity

Promoting physical activity

Promoting mental health and wellbeing

Promoting healthy relationships

Conception and pregnancy

Promoting childhood health

Long-term disease

Promoting ageing and dying well

Preventing abuse and violence

Addressing addiction – smoking and substance misuse

Protecting against disease and health protection

Vaccination and screening

Wider determinants of health

Link to Birmingham City Council website:https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50265/supporting_healthier_communities/2436/faith_and_religious_communities/4

Direct link: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/23660/islamic_healthy_faith_settings_toolkit

PDF attachment of Toolkit to be linked.