Researcher leads major project to tackle health inequalities

A Teesside University academic is involved in leading a new study which aims to tackle health inequalities in Black communities.

EQUITA (EQUITy in Black Adult health) has received £618,000 from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to focus on a co-produced, faith-placed intervention designed to increase the uptake of breast, cervical, bowel, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening in the north-east of England, Leeds and Scotland.

Dr Judith Eberhardt, Associate Professor of Psychology at Teesside University, is co-leading the project with Dr Floor Christie-de Jong, Associate Professor of Public Health at the School of Medicine, University of Sunderland.

Research shows that uptake for these life-saving screening tests among ethnic minority groups, particularly Black African and Caribbean communities, remains lower than average. This can lead to later diagnoses, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.

To address this, the EQUITA study will trial a workshop aimed at informing and encouraging Black men and women to attend these screenings while addressing barriers such as lack of awareness, embarrassment, or previous negative healthcare experiences which can often deter people from taking part in screenings.

The workshops will be delivered to 300 Black individuals aged 25 to 74 across churches in the north-east, Leeds and Scotland. Participants will be divided into two groups, with one attending the workshop and the other not, to assess the intervention's effectiveness.

Over 24 months, the study will assess whether this faith-placed intervention can improve screening rates. Dr Eberhardt said: “Health inequalities in screening uptake persist in Black communities, contributing to later diagnoses and poorer health outcomes. The EQUITA study is an important step in tackling these disparities, and I am proud to be co-leading this important work alongside Dr Floor Christie-de Jong.

“Through co-producing this intervention with Black communities and delivering it in trusted spaces, we aim to break down barriers to screening and facilitate equitable access to early diagnosis and treatment. Teesside University is delighted to be part of this collaboration, which has the potential to drive lasting improvements in public health.”

Dr Eberhardt’s team also involves Teesside University colleagues Dr Lawrence Nnyanzi and Irene Kabuye.

Irene, who will recruit members of the public onto the EQUITA workshops, said: “This study is important because it will address the barriers to screening participation in Black African and Caribbean communities, which can lead to late-stage diagnoses and worse health outcomes.

“By improving participation in screening programmes through culturally tailored, faith-based, and peer-led interventions, the study aims to reduce health disparities and ensure earlier detection and treatment, ultimately saving lives and promoting better overall health in these communities.”

The researchers leading the project are part of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health.

Dr Christie-de Jong, who is also Associate Director of Fuse, said: "Health inequalities are a persistent issue in the UK, and they disproportionately impact Black communities.

“By placing this intervention in trusted spaces like churches and working hand in hand with the community, we aim to break down barriers to accessing life-saving screenings.

“EQUITA is about more than just numbers; it's about creating lasting change that ensures everyone has an equal chance at early diagnosis and better health outcomes."

This collaborative project involves researchers and practitioners from the Teesside, Sunderland, Glasgow, Northumbria, and Leeds Beckett universities, as well as Middlesbrough Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

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