The ambiguity of ethnicity as risk factor of vitamin D deficiency--a case study of Danish vitamin D policy documents

TY - JOUR

T1 - The ambiguity of ethnicity as risk factor of vitamin D deficiency--a case study of Danish vitamin D policy documents

AU - Mygind, Anna

AU - Traulsen, Janine Morgall

AU - Nørgaard, Lotte Stig

AU - Bissell, Paul

N1 - Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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 - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Age Factors

KW - Culture

KW - Denmark

KW - Emigrants and Immigrants

KW - Ethnic Groups

KW - Female

KW - Health Policy

KW - Humans

KW - Islam

KW - Male

KW - Minority Groups

KW - Policy Making

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Sex Factors

KW - Skin Pigmentation

KW - Vitamin D Deficiency

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2011.05.012

DO - 10.1016/j.healthpol.2011.05.012

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21676481

SN - 0168-8510

VL - 102

SP - 56

EP - 63

JO - Health Policy

JF - Health Policy

IS - 1

ER -