Project
In this research we will work in partnership with Travellers and migrants to generate knowledge and action to address avoidable health differences between majority and minority ethnic communities. The project explores those datasets that already exist in Ireland that have information about ethnicity, examining how factors relating to ethnicity are measured, how the data sets are used and who they are owned by. We will show the potential of one data set for exploring differences between adults from majority and minority ethnic communities. We will investigate and support the implementation of an ethnic identifier in primary care settings with a view to having an effective and acceptable system for service providers and service users for routine and on-going data collection about ethnicity.
International evidence shows that minority ethnic groups have poorer health and more difficulty accessing healthcare than majority ethnic groups. To reduce these differences is it essential to know what the differences are so that resources can be spent effectively. It is intended to produce findings that will provide immediate relevant outputs for health service planners and policy makers.
This project is being conducted in partnership with Traveller and migrant community organisations. Co-Applicants on the project are Ailish Hannigan, Graduate Entry Medical School, UL; Maura Adshead, Dept of Politics and Public Administration, UL; Alphonse Basogomba, Intercultural and Diversity Education Center Ireland & Ennis Community Development Project; Joe Le Master, Kansas University Medical School; Fiona O’Reilly, Partnership for Health Equity. We are collaborating with Austin O’Carroll, Partnership for Health Equity; Santino Severoni, World Health Organisation; Tom O'Dowd, Growing Up in Ireland study & Trinity College Dublin; Claire Collins, Irish College of General Practitioners; Diane Nurse, HSE Social Inclusion; James Whitney, Ennis Community Development Project; Kevin Balanda, Institute of Public Health.
This project is guided by the principles of Public & Patient Involvement (PPI). The research is co-designed, implemented and analyzed with patient/ community participation. The project is administered by an Advisory Board to include representatives from community participants. This body is responsible for project evaluation and reporting to the Health Research Board and to all participants involved in the research.
Research
The project explores those datasets that already exist in Ireland that have information about ethnicity, examining how factors relating to ethnicity are measured, how the data sets are used and who they are owned by. We will show the potential of one data set for exploring differences between adults from majority and minority ethnic communities.
In recent years, there have been important developments to improve data about Traveller’s health (adults and children) but more work still needs to be done. There is a growing amount of work about migrant children but a problematic lack of data about adult migrants in Ireland. A fundamental step in identifying which specific populations are most at risk, and defining appropriate targeted interventions, is the collection and use of data about ethnicity. The use of ethnic identifiers in health care systems is recommended in many countries but there are barriers to implementation that have not been researched. In Ireland, there is a lack of research on existing data sets and about the implementation of an ethnic identifier. This research is designed to address these national and international gaps in knowledge.
This participatory health research project is embedded in the Partnership for Health Equity (http://www.ul.ie/gems/partnership-health-equity) which is a unique collaboration between researchers, educators and policy makers. The project steering group, which comprises representatives of all research stakeholders, oversees the operation of the research, providing a direct line of communication between the PHE and this project, which is designed to ensure that the interests of all of those impacted by the research are represented in the management of the project. The steering committee reports both to the HRB and to the community groups taking part in the research.
