Received wisdom about the health of Afrikan community is not an encouraging one, be it diabetes, prostrate cancer, infant and maternal mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), mental health or obesity (adults and children). (1)

Yet in spite of years of data, identifying the causes of these disparities seems as elusive as ever. Poverty and deprivation are often factored in to the equation and indeed it is the case that the Afrikan community suffers among the highest levels of economic hardship. On the other hand race is likely to addressed in vague terms. (2)

One factor in this may be the continued lack of active involvement of the Afrikan community in the research. A University College London study asserts the “urgent need for evidence-based policies and practices that prioritise the needs of Black, ethnic minority and migrant communities…” (3) As part of a growing trend, Brent based Kojo Baiden Community Voluntary Organisation and the Chalkhill Community Radio Station are collaborating on the Community Health Research Radio Initiative which aims to bridge the gap between health research and the local community by providing accessible, engaging, and informative radio programming. This project will focus on disseminating the latest health research findings, promoting public health awareness, and encouraging community participation in health-related discussions. (4)

The project objectives include:

• Increase Public Awareness: To inform the community about recent health research findings and their implications for public health.
• Promote Healthy Lifestyles: To encourage healthy living through educational segments on nutrition, exercise, mental health, and preventive care.
• Engage the Community: To involve local residents in discussions about health issues that affect them, fostering a sense of ownership and participation.
• Support Health Researchers: To provide a platform for health researchers to share their work 

It is hoped that such initiatives can overcome the mistrust that exists between state agencies, including health, and the Afrikan community that led to, for example, the much vaunted ‘vaccine hesitancy’ that occurred around covid. It will also have to address the systemic issues like “racism” within the health service itself that authors like Layal Liverpool say is “making us ill.” (5)

(1) Veena Raleigh (17/05/23) The health of people from ethnic minority groups in England. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/health-people-ethnic-minority-groups-england#:~:text=Veena%20Raleigh&text=This%20long%20read%20examines%20ethnic,needed%20to%20reduce%20health%20inequalities.
(2) India Block (09/03/25) ‘Covid was a wake-up call’: Meet the people on a mission to make Brent healthy. https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/brent-health-matters-covid-day-of-reflection-b1215321.html; Raleigh. Op. cit: “Data for 2018–21 shows that the proportion of households with a low weekly income (below £600) is highest in the Black groups.”
(3) University College London (27/07/23) Lessons must be learnt from Covid-19’s unequal impact on minority groups. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/jul/lessons-must-be-learnt-covid-19s-unequal-impact-minority-groups#:~:text=Black%20and%20Asian%20communities%20had,access%20to%20it%20at%20all
(4) Jamie Morris (23/03/25) Black communities asked to join health research. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62514yrynloen – 48%; Women – 37%). The amount for “Black African” is 22% (Men- 25%; Women – 18%).
(5) Becares, L., Shaw, R., Nazroo, J., & Irizar, P. (2022). Understanding the fundamental role of racism in ethnic inequities in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. (Runnymede/CoDE Covid Briefings). Runnymede Trust and Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity (CoDE). https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/239441659/Runnymede_CoDE_briefing_Vaccine_Hesitancy.pdf; Ian Tucker (25/05/24) Layal Liverpool: ‘Racism is a public health crisis – and we can do something about it.’ https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/may/25/layal-liverpool-systemic-how-racism-is-making-us-ill

Can we get our health back on track?

1) What are the biggest factors affective our collective health?
2) Will active involvement in health research make a difference?
3) Is “racism making us ill”?
4) What would need to change to attain collective health?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Sis. Patricia “Blaze” Wharton: is an organiser and activist that has spent over 30 years of her professional career supporting children and families including with issues like Social and school Exclusions, self-harming, depression and other challenges. She is also a freelance Parenting Practitioner offering Parenting Seminars workshops and courses, including running programmes in prison. Sis. Patricia organises community events and initiatives on a range of issues including, arts, culture and health and is the presenter for ‘The Let’s Talk Show’ on Chalkhill Community Radio Station.

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