Birmingham-led team selected to tackle national health inequalities in heart disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) contributes to one in four deaths in the UK. Some communities, particularly racialised populations and those living in deprived communities are more likely to experience CVD than others. In partnership with the British Heart Foundation, the NIHR has released £50 million of funding to tackle the inequalities that persist in CVD in the UK. 

The University of Birmingham is one of nine consortia that have been selected to take part in the NIHR Cardiovascular Inequalities Challenge and includes researchers from Aston University led by Professor Shivani Sharma (Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, ARC TV Co-Director).

This work will focus on co-creating practical solutions around detection and management of high blood pressure and cholesterol with the communities who are most at risk. CVDs such as heart attacks, strokes and other conditions such as vascular dementia are preventable with treatment to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Many people are not diagnosed or treated effectively. Practical solutions to better detect and manage high blood pressure and cholesterol in communities most at risk could reduce existing inequalities.  This work will capitalise on the ARC TV infrastructure and closely aligns with the ambitions and values of the ARC TV around collaborating with those most in need to co-design scalable solutions to persistent problems.

“We will bring creative participatory approaches to engage with communities in ways that feel authentic and aligned with diverse needs and preferences.  “At both Aston and within the ARC TV, we’re deeply committed to inclusive and participatory research, creating spaces where people can shape both the questions and solutions. Through this consortium, we’re proud to bring tried-and-tested approaches that open the door for more people – especially those often ignored in research- to influence how we tackle cardiovascular health gaps. This isn’t about ticking a box. It’s about building engagement that feels accessible, relevant, and genuinely meaningful to communities.”

PROFESSOR SHIVANI SHARMA