Genes & Health is a long-term research programme focused on the health of British Bangladeshi and Pakistani people. The project has recruited 56,000+ volunteers to date – predominantly in East London, but also in Manchester and Bradford. 

Studies have indicated that individuals belonging to South Asian communities are comparatively less likely to receive a diagnosis for mental health conditions, such as depression, and that they may experienced barriers to getting effective treatment.

The Medical Research Council (MRC), which is responsible for funding and coordinating health research as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), recently awarded Genes & Health a prestigious ‘Longitudinal Population Study’ grant. The aim of this is to expand its work into mental health by inviting Genes & Health volunteers to participate in culturally-adapted questionnaires to understand their experience of mental health conditions better. 

The information obtained from these questionnaires will be analysed alongside health record information and genetic information. This will help to build a detailed picture of why some people develop mental health conditions, how they respond to treatment, and how these conditions may be prevented in the future.

Dr Nick Bass, who works in the Tower Hamlets Diagnostic Memory Service at ELFT, and is a member of the Longitudinal Population Study team, said:

“People from South Asian backgrounds are seriously underrepresented in both genetic and mental health research. The NHS is committed to using the power of genomic technology and science to improve the health of the nation. 

“However, “genomic medicine” can only be delivered equitably if all groups are represented in the scientific research on which it is based. In focussing on mental health research, the Genes and Health study is one of the very few directly addressing these inequalities. 

“This South Asian Heritage Month, I urge my ELFT colleagues to get involved with the programme.” 

Genes & Health is looking for the ELFT community to contribute to this mental health research. If you are British Bangladeshi or Pakistani and aged 16+, you can contribute by becoming a Genes & Health volunteer. You can visit the website, and scroll down to ‘How to volunteer’ to take part and receive a sample kit in the post.

If you have lived experience of mental health conditions in British Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, and would like to join a Public Advisory Group that will help to design and develop research, please email Mehru Raza, Communications & Engagement Manager at m.raza@qmul.ac.uk. 

To find out more information about the programme and what volunteering could look like, please do get in touch with the below contacts from the Trust:

•    Zainab Dedat, Clinical Studies Officer – z.dedat@nhs.net 
•    Anna Myerscough, Research Assistant – anna.myerscough@nhs.net

NHS England organises South Asian Heritage Month event

Coinciding with Genes & Health's study into inequalities, NHS England has organised an event to celebrate Bangladeshi history and the contribution of the Bangladeshi diaspora across London and the NHS.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 16th August from 1-2pm. Guest speakers will include Riyadul Karim, who is the Assistant Director of Primary Care (Enfield) and Bashir Uddin, the Director at Bangla Housing Association.