Academic Leads: Faye Bruce, Dr Eula Miller, Dr Lorna Roberts, CAHN with Dr Ornette D Clennon
The Greater Manchester (GM) region is the 4th most deprived region in England and as a result, faces continuing challenges to address health inequalities. To add to this, research provides evidence that one of the most socio-economically disadvantaged groups across the country are citizens from African and Caribbean backgrounds (Nazroo, 2007). In the UK and internationally, there exists a strong body of evidence to support the increased prevalence of a range of poor health conditions and diseases within the African and Caribbean population (Wilde 1997; Raleigh, 1997; Astin, 2010) resulting in health inequalities which can be described as avoidable (KawachiI, 2000). Because African and Caribbean people are at greater risk of hypertension; a risk factor for Cardio-vascular Attack (CVA) and End Stage Kidney Disease, (Balarajan, 1991; Raleigh, 1997; BHF, 2007) they are likely to suffer higher rates of mortality than Caucasian people. Compared to the Caucasian population, statistics suggest that people of African and Caribbean heritage have twice the risk and mortality from CVD and related conditions which can be explained by a number of determining factors (Balarajan, 1991, Lemic-Stojcevic, et al., 2001; BHF, 2014; Whitty, 1999). This group suffers disproportionately from mental health issues, dementia, diabetes and other health related long-term conditions (Bhopal, 2007) and many of the health conditions prevalent within the BME community are chronic and often inadequately resourced by mainstream services. Within the Caribbean and African population, there are a number of other conditions where individuals are more likely to contract a particular form of disease earlier than the general population. If we look at any cancer, it is generally understood that its prognosis is more effective when the cancer is caught in the earlier stages of the disease (Cancer Research UK, 2016). However, for people of Caribbean and African heritage many diseases and conditions present at younger age profiles but the national guidelines, policies and practices do not take account of this in health prevention, care and treatment. There is strong evidence to show a lack of involvement from people of African and Caribbean descent in decision-making relating to the provision of health services (Klien 2014). As statutory health and care structures change such as in a devolved landscape in Greater Manchester, there is a need to ensure that grassroots communities have the tools to navigate the health and care system and be involved in decision making that will impact upon their health and wellbeing at a local level.
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnerships have begun a process to build relationships with Faith organisations to improve access to preventative health and wellbeing provision. As such, it seeks to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that recognises the contribution faith organisations can add to address health inequalities. Faith organised organisations are important institutions across a number of communities (November, Faith Action, 2014). For example, within the Caribbean and African community, 84% of people from this community attend church or have an affiliation to a church establishment (Census, 2011). It is well established that faith organisations have traditionally created climates of trust, safety and one where people feel they can go to for guidance. They are often the first point of contact for their congregants and local community members when people face difficulties in health or otherwise. As a result, faith organisations can be powerful communicators of health information that have the potential to be key agents for change in health and wellbeing improvement. For instance a pilot project was developed with community groups and faith based organisations to address the mental health needs of Caribbean and African groups (Mantovani, N., Pizzolati, M. & Gillard S. 2017). This study recognises the need to equip the faith community with the health literacy required to navigate the health and Care system so that they can participate in the development of preventative services for their communities.
The African and Caribbean community has many assets that will be drawn upon and one recognises the contribution that music have traditionally and historically played in the culture of the African and Caribbean church. Music has been one of the only ways in which people of African and Caribbean descent can freely express themselves. To this extent, this work is motivated to explore the power of traditional religious songs sang through the life experiences and stories of African and Caribbean people and whether this has played a role in their health and wellbeing, accomplishments and sacrifices.
This study is framed within a 4D model of Appreciative Inquiry based upon the four pillars of ‘discovery’, ‘dreaming’, ‘designing’ and ‘destiny’ (Cooperider, Whitney and Stavros, 2008). This study is framed within the context of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) being developed in Greater Manchester to established health and wellbeing hubs in African and Caribbean faith organisations.
Based upon the evidence, this study recognises the need to explore the development and establishment of health and wellbeing hubs within spaces of trust grounded in the grassroots experiences of participants from across the generations.
Aims of the research
- Firstly, the principal aim is to undertake an participatory enquiry into the lived experiences of particpants’ across the generations to inform the development of a health and wellbeing hub to be located within Faith organisations.
- Secondly, to establish through story telling the ways that traditional faith songs have impacted upon the experience of health and wellbeing in the UK, Caribbean or Africa
- Finally, to establish a link between health literacy and the impact that this has upon the participants engagement health prevention and to ascertain the need for delivering a programme to enable participation.
Proposed Outcome
Establishment of health and well being hubs located within 10 majority Caribbean and African faith organisations across Greater Manchester.
Methodology
The ethnographic approach best fits this study because it places significant emphasis upon culture, and the reality of the participants lived experiences. This study therefore allow us to look at the research questions whilst in the natural field with participants. The researcher will take an active participatory role to data gathering whilst still taking the opportunity to continue enquiries through the use of additional data collection methods.
We will use a qualitative approach that comprises focus groups and semi structured interviews as our methods of data collection.
This approach will be used to answer the following questions:
Research Questions
- What are the health and wellbeing experiences for people of Caribbean and African descent in their home country or in the UK?
- How has music influenced your experience of health and wellbeing in the UK, Africa or the Caribbean?
- How does faith influence the health and wellbeing experience and engagement in health prevention?
- What approach is required to develop health prevention activities to improve health and wellbeing in the Caribbean and African Community?
- What impact does knowledge and awareness of health care and systems have upon your participation and development of preventative health and wellbeing activities? (CLP & evaluation)
We will update you with our progress on this page in due course.