Volunteers supporting research to improve health in Black ethnic communities

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is calling on people from Black ethnic backgrounds to join a new research programme.

UHS is one of only two sites in the South where people can take part in a new Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) initiative. It is designed to improve clinical outcomes and tackle health inequalities.

The IBHO BioResource will explore how Black communities develop and experience a range of health conditions. These include sickle cell, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.

People without health conditions are also encouraged to take part.

Improving health outcomes

People from Black ethnic communities have historically been under-represented in health studies. This means knowledge and treatments as a result of research are predominantly based on white populations.

The new initiative is looking to “close the gap”. It will provide deeper insights into these health conditions. This could lead to better treatments and more accurate diagnostic tools in the future.

By addressing this imbalance, researchers are hoping to create fair and inclusive health research that reflects the country’s diversity.

David Stockley, NIHR BioResource Southampton manager at UHS, said: "People who join this programme will be playing a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare for Black communities.

“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. Our aim is to close the gap and create a healthier future for all."

Building a better future

Southampton father Ardel Richardson, 38, recently joined the programme. His motivation is to help shape a better future for his daughter.

“I remember when she bruised her knee a few years ago and we went to the cupboard to get a bandage. She pulled out a brown bandage and said, ‘Look Dad, it’s skin coloured!’ Seeing her joy was a profound moment – it made me realise how often our needs are overlooked,” he explained.

“If I don’t do more to ensure our views and needs are considered, how can I expect change to happen?”

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.

“We need to be proactive. Research programmes like this are key to improving our knowledge and understanding of how these conditions impact Black communities.”

Taking part

Recruitment sites are based in NHS Trusts across England. Those eligible to take part include:

• People aged 16+ from Black ethnic backgrounds, with or without a health condition
• People with a confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease or thalassaemia (regardless of ethnic background)
• Children aged 15 and under with a confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease

Taking part involves donating a blood or saliva sample and completing a health and lifestyle questionnaire. Volunteers also fill in a consent form to be matched with relevant research studies.

In the South Central region, appointments are held at the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility at UHS.

More information on the IBHO BioResource is available here. If you would like to take part, please email ibho@bioresource.nihr.ac.uk.

The IBHO BioResource is run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource in collaboration with King's College London and Genomics England.