The health of the Irish community in Britain - research
In March of 2024, Irish in Britain was delighted to commission a team of researchers led by long-time collaborator Professor Alessio D’Angelo from the University of Derby to undertake a major research project on the health of the Irish community in Britain.
The team also include Dr Necla Acik and a group of expert advisors. This research will also connect with Irish in Britain’s Healthy Ageing Project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
The focus of the study is on health inequalities, looking in particular at the Irish community in Britain.
It will provide detailed statistical analysis of the health and wellbeing of the Irish in Britain. It will take into account age, socio-economic status, employment, population trends and diversity within the community, particularly Irish Travellers whose demographic profile is distinct from the broader Irish category.
The research uses a number of datasets including those from the Office for National Statistics, the EVENS survey on health equality and OpenSafely data from primary care. It also analyses secondary research undertaken on the subject.
As such, it will help understand patterns over time as the Irish community has changed and evolved, providing a much-needed update to the already existing literature and new insights using the latest data.
With some preliminary research and analysis already undertaken, it is clear that the final report will be of huge value to Irish in Britain member organisations.
We envisage that the findings of the report will provide key insights upon which member organisations can plan and resource their work. It is hoped that the report will be finished in the first quarter of 2025 and will be presented at an event in late Spring of that year.