Launching the Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource

Who can take part? Those living in England and from Black ethnic backgrounds are invited to join both with or without a health condition. As there is an initial focus on sickle cell, patients with a confirmed diagnosis are also invited to join via their clinician, regardless of ethnicity.  When someone signs up to the IBHO BioResource, they will be asked to donate a blood or saliva sample, complete a health and lifestyle questionnaire, and fill in a consent form which describes how their data and samples will be used and allows them to be matched to specific research studies. Sickle cell Sickle cell is more prevalent among Black populations. According to the Sickle Cell Society, the genetic trait for sickle cell is found in 1 in 4 West Africans and 1 in 10 African Caribbeans and is significantly less common in white Europeans. It is also under-researched, meaning current treatment options are limited. The initial focus of clinical recruitment for IBHO BioResource is on sickle cell patients. Genomics England is working with the project’s partners with the aim of building a world-leading sickle cell genomics research resource. Patients who are invited to join the IBHO BioResource will also be...