Black communities asked to join health research

People from black ethnic backgrounds are being encouraged to take part in a research programme aimed at tackling health inequalities.

The Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource programme at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) will explore how African-Caribbean communities develop and experience different health conditions.

Those taking part would be tested and matched with various research programmes into conditions including sickle cell, diabetes, heart and kidney disease.

David Stockley, NIHR BioResource Southampton Manager at UHS, said the volunteers would be playing a "vital role" in developing future healthcare provision.

UHS said the study was set up as historically, people from African and Caribbean heritage have been under-represented in health studies, meaning knowledge and treatments as a result of research have been predominantly based on white populations.

Mr Stockley said the new initiative aimed to "close the gap".

"The IBHO BioResource will help us better understand and address health conditions and their unique impacts on black people and their loved ones, ensuring everyone benefits from fair and inclusive research," he added.

Participant Ardel Richardson, 38, from Southampton said he was encouraged to join the research when his daughter first saw a brown bandage as "skin-coloured".

"Her joy was a profound moment – it made me realise how often our needs are overlooked," he explained.

After completing a diabetes risk survey, he discovered he had a two-in-five chance of developing the condition.

"I was shocked to learn that diabetes hits the black community in such a disproportionate way.

"If I don't do more to ensure our views and needs are considered, how can I expect change to happen?" he added.

The researchers are looking for a range of adults to take part, with or without a health condition, as well as children under 15 with a confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell.

Those taking part would be asked to give a saliva or blood sample and complete a health and lifestyle questionnaire.

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