Somerset NHS seeks black volunteers for health research study

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting black community members for a national study to improve health outcomes and treatments.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is supporting recruitment for the Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource, a national study aiming to address long-standing health inequalities by increasing participation from black communities in health research.

The study is open to people aged 16 and over from black ethnic backgrounds, including Black African, Black Caribbean, and Black British communities. Those with a confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease or thalassaemia can also participate regardless of ethnic background. Participants are asked to complete a questionnaire and provide a blood or sputum sample, which are stored securely and anonymously in a biobank for use in future research.

Kate James, research team lead at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said that historically black communities have been underrepresented in health research, meaning 'much of the evidence used to develop medicines and treatments has not always reflected the diversity of the population'. She noted that 'some medicines can affect people differently, which is why it is so important that research includes people from a wide range of backgrounds'. The mobile research unit is based at Musgrove Park Hospital, where samples can be collected at times convenient to participants.

How it is being reported

• Black communities in Somerset invited to join national health studySomerset NHS Foundation Trust backs national study urging black communities to join research aimed at improving health outcomes and treatments.Bridgwater Mercury · 9 Oct, 05:00
• Somerset NHS seeks black volunteers for national health research studySomerset NHS Foundation Trust backs national study urging black communities to join research aimed at improving health outcomes and treatments.Somerset County Gazette · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust · Improving Black Health Outcomes BioResource · Kate James · Musgrove Park Hospital · Somerset

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