United for Health: Promoting inclusive research involvement through film

It is important to include a wide range of people in health research. Diversity in research means that results are relevant to everyone and helps to reduce health inequities – the unfair differences where some groups have poorer health than others. People can be included in different ways. For example, by involving them in planning and designing studies as well as taking part as participants. 

But minoritised ethnic groups in the UK aren’t included in research often enough. Bone and joint researchers at the University of Bristol and the Bristol BRC wanted to change this. So they developed the United for Health project, funded by the Brigstow Institute.

The researchers have been working with members of Bristol-based South Asian community group Dhek Bhal over the last four years. Their ongoing collaboration aims to build trust. It means that members of Dhek Bhal can help shape and be part of research that is relevant to them. 

The team behind United for Health includes members of Dhek Bhal and staff and students from the University of Bristol’s Medical School and Department of Film and TV. They worked in partnership to create films to highlight the importance of working together on health research. 

The United for Health collection includes: 

• A 25-minute documentary about the experiences of Dhek Bhal members of being part of research 

• A behind the scenes film explaining why the researchers wanted to make these films and the process of making them 

• Two short films aimed at researchers focused on participation and involvement in research for marginalised communities 

• A short film on what Dhek Bhal means to its members 

Watch the films

The full playlist is available on YouTube or watch the main film here:

What next?

The team are writing up their experiences of the project, to create a useful checklist for other researchers hoping to undertake similar work.