Written question asked by Valerie Vaz (Labour) on Monday, 20 May 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 May 2024 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Thursday, 23 May 2024. A substantive answer was provided by Andrew Stephenson (Conservative) on Friday, 24 May 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

UK Biobank: Ethnic Groups

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with (a) UK Biobank and (b) UK Biobank funders on the adequacy of the proportion of UK Biobank participants from BAME backgrounds.

Answer: The scientific and ethical impacts of cohort diversity on the generalisability of research findings is part of ongoing conversations on health data, including with UK Biobank. As a funder, the Government routinely engages in discussions about diversity with UK Biobank through the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health and Care Research. The Department is committed to increasing participation of ethnic minority groups in health and social care research, and is working in partnership with diverse communities to ensure they have a stronger voice in shaping priorities for research, the design and delivery of research, inclusive recruitment into studies, and the mobilisation of evidence into practice.

Secondary information