A Hull-based hospital team is reaching out to community groups such as sports clubs and ‘knit and natters’ to promote involvement in clinical research.

The Friends of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (ADEM) group comprises clinical and research staff, community leaders and members of the public who are keen to further research in this area.

Global majority groups such as black, Asian and indigenous people make up 80% of the world’s population, but are massively under-represented when it comes to research both locally and nationally, with just 12%, or 1 in every 8 patients, registered with Hull’s ADEM research team known to be from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

At the same time, people of BAME origin have a higher chance of developing some of the conditions treated by the ADEM Unit, such as type 2 diabetes, at a younger age.

Lisa Baldwin, Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit Manager explains:

“Research is vitally important in the field of healthcare. Research helps to develop cures, measure the effectiveness of drugs and treatments and promote better understanding of the human body.

“At the same time, effective research must also reflect the diversity of our communities. Historically, the number of people taking part in clinical trials has been low among global majority populations, marginalised groups, those from poor socioeconomic backgrounds and people with disabilities or access barriers.

(L-R) Zoe Sugden, Clinical Trials Coordinator, Lisa Baldwin, Academic Unit Manager, and Lee Rollins, Senior Research Practitioner

“This is something we also see reflected in our work locally in our Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism clinical trials unit. We’ve always experienced lower levels of participation in clinical research among global majority groups; the significance of this really struck home during the Covid pandemic when people from BAME backgrounds were significantly under-represented in the vaccine trials; but we’re committed to changing this.

“Getting a good mix of patients involved in clinical trials means we can more accurately reflect the make-up of our patient population and it gives us a better understanding of those patients’ needs. It can also expand access to new and existing treatments, help us to provide valuable health education and improve health outcomes across all populations.

“Over the past two years, we’ve worked hard to raise awareness of our work in underrepresented communities and how it can benefit local people, but we still need to do more.

“One of the ways we find particularly successful in getting the word out is through community leaders. Those who run sports clubs, community groups, social clubs and activities, and those who represent groups of people such as church leaders, charity representatives and youth leaders, have been really helpful in spreading the word for us to date due to their positions of influence and some great contacts.

“We’re now looking for more people like this to join us at our new quarterly meetings, where we’ll update on what we’ve been doing and talk about current or upcoming research opportunities.  Then it’s over to our community leaders to spread the word, ensuring as many people as possible from different backgrounds right across the Humber hear about, and have the opportunity to take part in, our research trials.”

Friends of ADEM meet once every three months on a Tuesday evening at the Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull Royal Infirmary. No specific knowledge or experience is necessary, although an interest in clinical research and a willingness to give feedback on the team’s research ideas would be very helpful.

Lisa continues:

“Diabetes is probably the condition we study that most people have heard of; more than 40,000 people across our region received a diagnosis of Diabetes in 2023/24 alone; but we’re also looking to engage people who are experiencing other hormone-related issues such as thyroid problems, pituitary gland and adrenal gland issues.

“The term ‘research’ covers a whole spectrum of activity, from completing a simple online questionnaire right through to drug trials, so people don’t necessarily have to attend regular appointments or make a long-term commitment to take part in clinical research with us.

“We’d love for more people within our community to get involved, tell us what’s important to them, and help spread the word.”

For more information or if you would like to join the Friends of ADEM on behalf of your group or society, email hyp-tr.clinical.research@nhs.net