REACH Community Health Project

Aims of Project

To establish a Youth Health Forum that will increase the Participation of the young people in the planning and policy development of their health and social care services. (The project includes carrying out a piece of research to ascertain the heath needs of BME young people)

BME Youth Health Participation Project

Research Title: The Health Needs of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) young people 14-18 year olds living in the Southside of Glasgow

Aims of the Research

To investigate the health needs of BME Young People 14-18 year olds living in the South Side of Glasgow.
To inform the development of policy in both the public and voluntary sectors in relation to the health of BME young people.
To investigate the health needs and health disparities of minority ethnic men living in the city of Glasgow in relation to their knowledge and understanding of health and barriers related to accessing health services.

Funded by: BBC Children in Need

Time Period: December 2004 -March 2007

Current Work to Date:

BME Youth Health Advisory Committee set up consisting of 2 local BME youth representatives and health professionals from mainstream and voluntary sector.
Mapping exercise conducted looking at BME Youth health information and service provision.
Secondary research was carried out in the form of a literature review.
Qualitative research was carried out in the form of one-one interviews with youth health service providers, open questionnaires and focus groups with local BME youth.
The compilation of a joint health needs assessment based on the findings and data culled from the literature review and the qualitative research.

Status of the Research Report: Final Report is pending along with the dissemination of the report and the National Launch of the report.

Future Work

It is anticipated that the Joint Health Needs Assessment findings will facilitate and strengthen the development of a BME Youth Health Forum in partnership with other organizations, health practitioners, who have a remit to young people's health and will raise awareness of the health issues affecting this disadvantaged group.

For further information please contact:

Dr Monika Fotedar
Cultural Diversity Training Health Officer
REACH Community Health Project
Tel: 0141 585 8105
E-mail: Monika@reachhealth.org.uk

Shehla Ihsan
Chair/Line Manager
REACH Community Health Project
Tel: 0141 585 8022
E-mail: Shehla@reachhealth.org.uk