Abstract
To explore how ethnic minorities at risk of vitamin D deficiency are constructed in Danish policy documents (current as of April 2009), regarding vitamin D supplementation.
Methods:
Ten policy documents were analysed through content analysis, focusing on definitions and explanations of ethnic minorities being at risk of vitamin D deficiency. This formed the basis for an analysis of constructions of ethnic minorities at risk which was undertaken using the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) theory as an organising framework.
Results:
The analysis showed a high degree of interpretative flexibility regarding how ethnic minorities are constructed as a risk group for vitamin D deficiency. The ten documents analysed revealed eight different constructions of the ethnic minorities groups at risk. A low degree of interpretative flexibility was found regarding the importance of skin colour and skin covering. Major disagreements were found regarding the importance attributed to the Islamic religion, other traditions, immigration, gender and age, and use of an evolutionary explanation for the increased risk.
Conclusions:
Ethnic minorities at risk of vitamin D deficiency are constructed very differently in Danish policies current as of April 2009. A more precise definition of ethnic minorities in policies and research may be helpful in seeking to identify which ethnic minorities are and are not at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 56-63 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Health Policy |
| Volume | 102 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 14 Jun 2011 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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The ambiguity of ethnicity as risk factor of vitamin D deficiency : A case study of Danish vitamin D policy documents. / Mygind, Anna; Traulsen, Janine Morgall; Nørgaard, Lotte Stig; Bissell, Paul.
In: Health Policy, Vol. 102, No. 1, 09.2011, p. 56-63.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The ambiguity of ethnicity as risk factor of vitamin D deficiency
T2 - A case study of Danish vitamin D policy documents
AU - Mygind, Anna
AU - Traulsen, Janine Morgall
AU - Nørgaard, Lotte Stig
AU - Bissell, Paul
PY - 2011/9
Y1 - 2011/9
N2 - Objectives:To explore how ethnic minorities at risk of vitamin D deficiency are constructed in Danish policy documents (current as of April 2009), regarding vitamin D supplementation.Methods:Ten policy documents were analysed through content analysis, focusing on definitions and explanations of ethnic minorities being at risk of vitamin D deficiency. This formed the basis for an analysis of constructions of ethnic minorities at risk which was undertaken using the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) theory as an organising framework.Results:The analysis showed a high degree of interpretative flexibility regarding how ethnic minorities are constructed as a risk group for vitamin D deficiency. The ten documents analysed revealed eight different constructions of the ethnic minorities groups at risk. A low degree of interpretative flexibility was found regarding the importance of skin colour and skin covering. Major disagreements were found regarding the importance attributed to the Islamic religion, other traditions, immigration, gender and age, and use of an evolutionary explanation for the increased risk.Conclusions:Ethnic minorities at risk of vitamin D deficiency are constructed very differently in Danish policies current as of April 2009. A more precise definition of ethnic minorities in policies and research may be helpful in seeking to identify which ethnic minorities are and are not at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
AB - Objectives:To explore how ethnic minorities at risk of vitamin D deficiency are constructed in Danish policy documents (current as of April 2009), regarding vitamin D supplementation.Methods:Ten policy documents were analysed through content analysis, focusing on definitions and explanations of ethnic minorities being at risk of vitamin D deficiency. This formed the basis for an analysis of constructions of ethnic minorities at risk which was undertaken using the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) theory as an organising framework.Results:The analysis showed a high degree of interpretative flexibility regarding how ethnic minorities are constructed as a risk group for vitamin D deficiency. The ten documents analysed revealed eight different constructions of the ethnic minorities groups at risk. A low degree of interpretative flexibility was found regarding the importance of skin colour and skin covering. Major disagreements were found regarding the importance attributed to the Islamic religion, other traditions, immigration, gender and age, and use of an evolutionary explanation for the increased risk.Conclusions:Ethnic minorities at risk of vitamin D deficiency are constructed very differently in Danish policies current as of April 2009. A more precise definition of ethnic minorities in policies and research may be helpful in seeking to identify which ethnic minorities are and are not at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
KW - Denmark
KW - Ethnic groups
KW - Health policy
KW - Migrants
KW - Policy making
KW - Vitamin D
UR - http://www.healthpolicyjrnl.com/
U2 - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2011.05.012
DO - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2011.05.012
M3 - Article
VL - 102
SP - 56
EP - 63
JO - Health Policy
JF - Health Policy
SN - 0168-8510
IS - 1
ER -