As coronavirus continues to grip the world we have been at the forefront of work to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minorities.
We have just translated the tier system rules into South Asian languages so people who do not speak English can fully understand what they can and can’t do. An ARC East Midlands study has also found that ethnic minority healthcare workers are more likely to have built up antibodies to COVID-19.
Additionally, we have been active in work to increase the numbers of people from ethnic minorities in clinical research spurred on by coronavirus. As well supporting a regional survey, we have also contributed to the creation of the INCLUDE Ethnicity Framework, which provides researchers with a blueprint for ensuring involvement of all ethnic groups in scientific studies.
Meanwhile, Professor Adam Gordon, who is our theme lead for Building Community Resilience and Enabling Independence, is leading the care home arm of a study into a national testing platform for Point of Care Tests for coronavirus.
We have been busy contributing to the pool of new evidence around COVID-19, but our teams have also continued our other important research. Finally, I would like to congratulate current and former ARC EM researchers who have picked up some impressive awards. Find out more below.
Have a great Christmas, we look forward to hearing from you in 2021, a year which offers much hope following a challenging 2020.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti
ARC EM Director
ARC EM to lead nationally on multimorbidity research
ARC EM will have a remit to lead nationally on multimorbidity research as part of £13.125 million of funding awarded to ARCs across England to fund key national research priorities.
The National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaborations (NIHR ARCs) have secured the funding to develop key research programmes over the next three years. Read more.
COVID-19 news
New videos demonstrate COVID-19 responses
Following the outbreak of the global pandemic and the emerging evidence pointing towards the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic populations, NIHR ARC EM responded.
The first series of videos we created look at how, using our experience and expertise, we provided practical solutions to the recommendations in the Public Health England ‘Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME Groups’ report aimed at addressing the challenge.
We contributed to the Risk Reduction Frameworks and have produced a second set of videos looking at how this guidance can help people who are potentially more vulnerable to infection or adverse outcomes from COVID-19.
ARC EM researchers help break down language barrier to assist COVID-19 tier system rules
The COVID-19 tier system rules have been translated into South Asian languages so people who do not speak English can fully understand what they can and can’t do.
The documents, which lay out the three-tier system of restrictions across England, are now available to read in Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
The project was a joint initiative between the South Asian Health Foundation (SAHF), the Centre for BME Health, based in Leicester, and ARC EM.
Willingness to take part in COVID-19 vaccine trials across region
Thousands of people across the East Midlands are putting themselves forward to take part in COVID-19 vaccine research trials driven by a desire to generate faster results and to help others in their community, according to new research revealed this week.
Ethnicity and seniority among NHS staff impacts COVID-19 antibody prevalence
Ethnic minority healthcare workers are more likely to have built up antibodies to COVID-19, a team of researchers from Leicester has found. In addition, nurses, healthcare assistants and junior doctors are more likely to have higher levels of COVID-19 antibodies when compared to more senior members of medical staff. Read more.
ARC EM researcher leading on COVID-19 care home testing research
Professor Adam Gordon is leading the care home arm of a study into a national testing platform for Point of Care Tests for coronavirus. Professor Gordon is playing a crucial role in the CONDOR study, a £1.3 million national research programme to evaluate coronavirus tests in hospitals, general practices and care homes. Read more.
General news from ARC EM
Unnecessary vitamin D tests cost NHS millions says ARC EM-funded study
More than £38 million could be saved annually by the NHS if the availability of vitamin D testing kits was curbed, an ARC EM-funded study has concluded. It comes as people have been urged people to take the ‘sunshine vitamin’ to help boost their overall health. Read more.
ARC EM Director helps combat worldwide diabetes-related chronic kidney disease
The Director of ARC EM has helped draft guidelines that will help improve global outcomes for a diabetes-related complication. Professor Kamlesh Khunti was asked to contribute to the newly-published guidance about chronic kidney disease (CKD). Read more.
Healthy diet and exercise extends life expectancy among those with multiple health conditions
A healthy lifestyle increases life expectancy by more than six years among people who have multiple health conditions, according to an ARC East Midlands-funded study. Read more.
Contact and education improves medication adherence says review
People with type 2 diabetes and or cardiovascular disease are more like to take prescribed medication if they have regular contact with a healthcare professional and education, a study funded by ARC East Midlands has found. Read more.
ARC EM research to look at driving down ambulance call outs across East Midlands
Professor Niro Siriwardena is looking at ways to reduce the number of hypoglycaemia-related ambulance call outs, which he says will not only improve health outcomes, but could also save the NHS £1 million in the future. Read more.
ARC EM supports 'Your Path in Research' campaign
Researchers from ARC East Midlands have been sharing their stories to celebrate an NIHR campaign. The NIHR Academy has relaunched the campaign to encourage more health and care professionals across a wide range of settings to become more involved in research. Read more.
ARC EM researcher part of award-winning team
Professor Adam Gordon was among a team who won the Nursing Times 2020 Award for Care of Older People at a virtual ceremony. Read more.
Nursing Times Awards win for Ashley Duncan
ARC East Midlands PhD student Ashley Duncan has triumphed at the 2020 Student Nursing Times Awards. Read more.
ARC PhD student gets top new job
Many congratulations to one of our clinical academic PhD students Chris Newton who is about to take the latest step in his career. Read more.
PhD studentship opportunity exploring stroke care
We are offering a PhD studentship funded by THIS Institute and registered in the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham. Read more.
Dr Oli Williams makes shortlist for major accolade
Former ARC East Midlands researcher Dr Oli Williams has been named as a finalist for a prestigious national award. Read more.
Blog by ARC EM researcher focuses on clinical psychology
Clinical Psychologist Dr Sam Malins has shared his experiences of using personalised smart-messaging to help people with anxiety and depression. Read more.
Resources
Public perceptions towards vaccine trial research within ethnic minority and vulnerable communities
The NIHR Clinical Research Network has established a COVID-19 Vaccine Research Delivery Group. The role of this group is to coordinate resources and intelligence to deliver these new COVID-19 vaccine studies across the UK. Read more.
Type 2 diabetes and insulin films
These videos explain the different types of diabetes, what blood sugar is and how insulin works, in six different languages. To stay well we must look after ourselves. At times when we can’t quickly or easily access advice from healthcare professionals, there is help at hand. Read more.
Research
We have details of several new PhD studies on our website, visit the PhD section to find about these new research projects. Click here.
The monthly National ARC Newsletter.
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