Research in health ‘must improve’ its inclusion of minorities
ACADEMICS ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO DO SO
WORK is needed to improve ethnic minority participation in vital health research, academics say.
Dr Andrew Willis, based at the Centre for Ethnic Health Research and the University of Leicester, said: “The pandemic has brought into focus issues of health inequality and the disproportionate disease burden experienced by ethnic minority communities, compared to the population as a whole.
“High-quality research is essential in providing evidence-based healthcare that works.
“However, we know that due to genetic, social and cultural differences some people may respond differently to various health interventions and treatment.
“It’s because of this that it’s vital we find a way to include the entire culturally diverse community so we can cater for everyone.”
The centre is working with NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands and University College London Institute of Education, looking at how different groups of people are included in clinical research.
They found one key issue was language barriers.
Some ethnic minorities might have low first language literacy, low health literacy or may find speaking, understanding, reading or writing in English challenging when it is not their dominant language.
Associate professor Talia Isaacs, from UCL, said: “Translating a document into a person’s heritage language may not be enough to solve the issues we’re facing.
“In some cases, there may be a need for greater resource availability, including access to bilingual healthcare workers or professional interpreters and cultural tailoring of information.
“A more sustained approach might be necessary to build understanding and enhance trust.
“We need to ensure matters of inclusion are considered at all stages of the research process and robust translation methods should be employed, but consideration of language-specific information must always be taken into account.”
Professor Kamlesh Khunti, director of the Centre for Ethnic Health Research, said: “Improving access and promoting diversity in research must be a priority for governments, researchers and healthcare workers.
“We must come together to reduce health and socioeconomic disparities, ensuring we’re inclusive of all.
“But, whatever strategies we use, inclusion cannot be overburdensome and limit the feasibility of carrying out research.
“We need pragmatic approaches to ensure trial research accommodates everyone, so we can develop interventions, treatments and pioneering approaches for all.”