University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is calling on individuals from Black ethnic backgrounds to join a groundbreaking research programme designed to improve clinical outcomes and tackle health inequalities.

By joining the Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource, participants will be matched with relevant research studies to explore how Black communities develop and experience health conditions. These include sickle cell disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.

People without health conditions are also being encouraged to take part. They can serve as a vital comparison that helps researchers gain clearer insights into why some people develop a health condition and others don’t, and which treatments may work for some and not others.

Historically this group has been under-represented in health studies, meaning knowledge and treatments as a result of research are predominantly based on white populations.

The new initiative is looking to “close the gap” and provide deeper insights into these health conditions, leading 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."

Recruitment sites are located across NHS Trusts in England, with UHS being one of only two sites in the south where people can take part in the programme.

Those eligible to take part include:

People aged 16+ from Black ethnic backgrounds, with or without a health condition
Individuals 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

Southampton father Ardel Richardson, 38, recently joined the programme 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.”

Participation involves donating a blood or saliva sample, completing a health and lifestyle questionnaire and providing consent to be matched with relevant research studies.

In the south central region, appointments are held at the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility at University Hospital Southampton.

For more information about the IBHO BioResource or to get involved, please visit bioresource.nihr.ac.uk/IBHO or 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.

Hospital trust joins research programme to improve health in black ethnic communities