They also tend to be concentrated along cultural and religious lines. Leicester has a high proportion of people from Gujarat, Tower Hamlets has a large population from Bangladesh and Bradford a large Pakistani population. The elderly population from South Asia comprises more men than women, and is generally younger than the indigenous and African-Caribbean population. The majority of research into variations in the distribution of illness between the South Asian and the white population in the UK has to date neglected the importance of mental health needs. Rates of depression vary across India.
Symptoms are common, with directly expressed low mood and feelings of guilt being less frequent.
People's experience of dementia may have been limited due to previously lower life expectancy and migration before their parents became elderly. The effects of migration and subsequent experiences may have altered their perceptions of symptoms, the labeling of illness, appreciation of management and treatment. There has been a concentration on somatization, which is seen in many cultures and also in lower socioeconomic classes. People may believe that doctors are only interested in physical illness and therefore the only legitimate way to present is with a physical complaint. This suggests that appropriate questioning may provide answers.