This information is designed to support Black people affected by Crohn’s or Colitis. It focuses on the Black experience, but people from different ethnic backgrounds may also find it useful. This information will help you to:
If this information uses words you have not heard before our page on medical words can help provide an explanation.
This resource covers topics which some people might find upsetting or triggering. This includes racism in healthcare settings. For more on Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s commitment to anti-racism please see our commitment to anti-racism.
This information was informed by the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), Black people living with Crohn’s or Colitis, and Black healthcare professionals. We would like to thank Kohlrabi, CAHN and all our volunteers for their help in producing this resource.
Health inequalities exist and are common in Crohn’s and Colitis.
Health inequalities are differences in the health and wellbeing of people. Health inequalities can happen due to unfair and avoidable reasons. They can be affected by factors like:
Crohn’s and Colitis are lifelong conditions. This means the effect of health inequalities can add up over time.
Ethnicity is not the only factor that might affect your experience with Crohn’s or Colitis. You might find some of our other resources helpful:
A lot of studies on Crohn’s and Colitis do not collect data on ethnicity. This makes it difficult to understand exactly how ethnicity affects Crohn’s or Colitis. A lot of the research which does look at ethnicity, comes from the US. It's hard to know if findings from the US would be the same in the UK. This is partly because access to healthcare is so different.
The following section looks at evidence that is relevant to the UK. It looks at what research is currently available. But you may find it does not cover everything you want to know. More UK research is needed before more information can be given.
Crohn’s and Colitis used to be thought of as conditions that mainly affect people of European or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. But, across the world, more Black people are being diagnosed. This might be to do with:
A 2025 UK study found some people might be more likely to experience a delay in diagnosis. This included:
This is important to recognise as delays in diagnosis increase the risk of having to stay in hospital, or needing surgery.
My GP thought I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) so they prescribed over the counter medication, and referred me for a colonoscopy and blood tests. The tests returned with low inflammation markers, and images didn't show anything of concern. We did this dance many times over many, many months.
It is important to talk about any health concerns you have with your GP.
If your healthcare professional is not taking your symptoms seriously, you could try asking these questions:
If you are not happy with the response, you can ask for a second opinion. This includes asking to see a different GP . If you’ve been referred to hospital, it also includes asking to see a different specialist.
The website whatsupwithmygut explains what you should expect if you experience gut symptoms. Crohn’s & Colitis UK were involved in the creation of whatsupwithmygut. The website was developed with other charities, people diagnosed with gut problems, and healthcare professionals.
See our information on getting a diagnosis for Crohn’s or Colitis, for more support on:
This next section looks at medicines prescribed for confirmed Crohn’s or Colitis.
There is a lack of research looking at how medicines for Crohn’s or Colitis work in Black people. Many drug trials include lots of White people and very few people from other ethnic backgrounds. This makes it hard to know if different medicines work better for different people. The next section may help you ask questions to find the right medicine for you.
I think it is important to remember that Crohn’s and Colitis affect people of all races. Despite this, there is a widespread exclusion of minorities, and in particular the Black community, in research, literature, and publications.
It can take time to find the medicine that works for you. Finding the right medicine and taking it regularly is important. It helps reduce the risk of flare ups, needing to go to hospital, and needing surgery. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) team will help you find the right medicine. When you are talking about medicines it might be helpful to ask the following questions:
For more questions to ask see deciding what you want to talk about in our appointment guide. Our Medicine Tool can also help you understand the options available to you.
Use this tool to understand more about potential treatment options that suit your needs. The tool is designed to help you:
A 2022 study found people of Asian, Black, or mixed heritage backgrounds were more likely to have surgery for Crohn’s. People from these ethnic groups were also more likely to have certain complications of surgery. This included complications that needed medicines to treat them, like pneumonia or wound infections.
The same 2022 study found no link between ethnicity and surgery for Ulcerative Colitis.
Having surgery can be a big step. It can help to talk to your IBD team about why surgery is being recommended. You could ask questions like:
For more questions to ask see deciding what you want to talk about in our appointment guide.
It takes time to recover after surgery. If you’re worried about anything you experience during your recovery, talk to your IBD team. This includes if you are in pain, or worried about any new symptoms.
Our information on surgery has more on what to expect before, during and after surgery.
Some Black people might not have English as their first language. This can make it difficult to talk to and understand healthcare professionals. This difficulty in communication can lead to worse health outcomes.
If you find it difficult to understand English, you have the right to ask for a translator. You can also ask if patient information is available in your first language.
If you need a translator for a GP appointment. Ask for a translator when you book your appointment.
If you need a translator for a hospital appointment. After you receive your appointment letter, contact the hospital to ask for a translator to be booked.
If you need a translator for NHS 111. If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, translation services are also available for NHS 111. For more information on how to access this, see:
Crohn’s and Colitis are lifelong conditions that need specialised care. The IBD Standards give guidance on the quality of care you should expect to receive. These Standards were created to make sure care is similar throughout the UK. They help healthcare services identify strengths and areas for improvement. Visit IBD UK to find out more.
If you are not familiar with the UK health system, Doctors of the World provide translated information on how the NHS works.
Sometimes, the hospital where you get treated for your Crohn’s or Colitis can be far away. This can make getting to and from your appointment difficult. Family, friends or people from your community might be able to help you get to appointments.
Age UK and the Royal Voluntary Service might also be able to help with transport. Go to Age UK or the Royal Voluntary Service to find out if there is support in your area and if they can help you.
Some people might be able to get free transport organised by their hospital. This free transport is called Patient Transport Services (PTS). PTS is only for people who:
To find out if you can get PTS, talk to your GP or the person who referred you to hospital.
You might be able to claim the cost of your transport through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). Click on the links to find out more about this service:
Our information on finances has more on handling extra costs for people with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Nobody should have to experience racism or other forms of discrimination. The NHS and other healthcare professional bodies have guidance on treating people fairly.
Sometimes though, you may receive unacceptable care. It’s important to report this, if you feel able to.
Citizens Advice provide a step-by-step guide to reporting discrimination. This includes information on:
If what you experienced was not discrimination, you can still make a complaint. Go to Citizens Advice for more information.
All NHS services must have a complaints procedure. You may be able to find this on your GP website. You could also speak to a receptionist about how to make a complaint.
If you want to raise an issue, it may help to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). PALS can give free, confidential advice. They are there to help with concerns or problems you have when using NHS hospitals in England. They can help raise issues with the service to a senior level. Similar organisations exist in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
You can find out more about how to make a complaint below:
Our information on how to get a diagnosis contains more details on making a complaint.
Appointments for Crohn’s or Colitis can sometimes feel overwhelming. But it is important to speak up and advocate for yourself. Here are some top tips on how to do this during appointments.
Our appointment guide has more on how to speak up for yourself and make the most of your appointments.
Being open about my condition tells others that I’m not ashamed of living with Crohn’s and helps them feel comfortable enough to ask questions, which can reduce stigma and correct assumptions that surround Crohn’s and Colitis.
Stigma is when people think badly about someone because of something they cannot control, like an illness or a difference.
Research suggests some Black communities are not familiar with Crohn’s or Colitis. Some people have told us that this makes it difficult to be able to talk about their condition. Talking about things can also be difficult due to the stigma associated with Crohn’s and Colitis.
Finding the right words is not always easy. And sharing how you feel can be scary. But talking about your condition can help the people around you better support you.
Femi was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when he was a teenager. In this video he talks about how he’s managed to be more open about living with the condition with his friends.
Talking about Crohn’s or Colitis at work can be uncomfortable. You do not have to tell your employer about your diagnosis. But some people find that telling their employer helps them feel better supported. If your employer knows about your Crohn’s or Colitis, they can make changes to help you do your job. These changes as known as reasonable adjustments.
For more on reasonable adjustments and your legal rights, see our guide for employees.
Management needs to understand what’s going on so they can support you better, but you have to be comfortable before you start sharing it with others.
Crohn’s and Colitis can affect people of any age, including children. If you are looking for information on how to support a child, you might find our children, young adults and students information useful.
Try and talk about your diagnosis with people you feel comfortable with and trust. Remember the impact Crohn’s or Colitis can have on mental health. Try and find out what support is available to you.
Aldea
IBD nurse
Take your medicine every day, even when you are feeling well. This will ensure you remain well and avoid flares. Also, make sure you have regular check-ups, even when you have no symptoms.
Bridgette
IBD nurse
Think about traditional foods and whether they trigger your symptoms. You can continue to enjoy traditional foods, but it might be helpful to get support from a dietician to make some changes.
Aldea
IBD nurse
Looking after your mental health is a big part of living with Crohn’s or Colitis. Around half of all people with Crohn’s or Colitis say it has affected their mental health in some way.
Mental health difficulties can be viewed differently by different cultures. Some Black people find that physical illness is accepted more than mental health problems in their community.
Mind has a list of organisations which can provide mental health support specific to Black communities.
Our information on mental health and wellbeing has more on how to look after your mental health. It includes top tips for wellbeing and how to find support.
Having a community who understand what you’re going through is helpful for many people with Crohn’s or Colitis. This support can come from lots of different places, including churches or mosques.
You might find the list of other organisations at the end of this information helpful.
Crohn’s & Colitis UK have local networks of volunteers across the country. You can also connect with people online through our Facebook Forum or virtual social events.
Our Helpline team provides up-to-date, evidence-based information. They can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
If you prefer to speak to our Helpline team in another language, interpreters are available. When you call the Helpline you’ll hear a short recorded message. When the call is answered by our team say, in English, the language you would like to use.
We follow strict processes to make sure our award-winning information is based on up-to-date evidence and is easy to understand. We produce it with patients, medical advisers and other professionals. It is not intended to replace advice from your own healthcare professional.
We hope that you’ve found this information helpful. Please email us at evidence@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk if:
You can also write to us at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, 1 Bishop Square, Hatfield, AL10 9NE. Or you can contact us through our Helpline by calling 0300 222 5700.
We do not endorse any products mentioned in our information.
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We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Our helpline team can help by:
Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.
Listening and talking through your situation.
Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
Providing details of other specialist organisations.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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