Inequalities found in healthcare for black communities in Southampton
New research is finding black residents report higher rates of chronic pain and are less likely to access NHS services
Last updated 30th Sep 2025
Southampton academics say they want to "uncover and illuminate" issues around pain in the black community as they find inequalities in healthcare.
Research from the University of Southampton is finding black residents report higher rates of chronic pain than other groups and are less likely to access NHS services.
André Fergus is a Southampton chronic pain patient for over 10 years and is on the team of a new project aimed at speaking to the community and encouraging them to share their experiences of pain.
He said: "It's a mixture of frustration and sadness because we have one of the best healthcare systems in the world.
"So not being able to access that, it becomes so frustrating, because it seems to be overloaded sometimes.
"That can turn to anger, as well, and you feel resentful sometimes as to why are these people getting access and I'm not?
A research team from the universities of Southampton and Keele are working with the NHS and urging people to talk about their personal experiences of pain.
Mr Fergus added: "This project is unique because for the first time in a while, we're having a group of very capable professionals actually asking the community what is it that we can do to help you.
"For people like myself, it's such a privilege to be part of it because there's a clear disconnect between the black community and services available and access to that."
Professor Tamar Pincus, a psychologist from the University of Southampton, specialises in supporting people living with pain.
She said: "Prior research showed a clear disparity in health for Black residents in our city, often compounded by poverty, poor housing, and unemployment, which are known to make living with chronic pain more difficult.
"This new project is about moving from research to action, working directly with our community to create a plan which is culturally sensitive, trusted and effective.
“We want to address reports that this community feels 'less served' by health services and use less than what is offered."
They are hoping the new project will help to tackle "significant health inequalities" affecting the city's black community.
According to a Versus Arthritis report, 44% of black people in England live with chronic pain compared to 34% of those who are white.
The new research team aims to speak to participants to hear their experiences of pain and understand why many face barriers in accessing care.
Pascal Matthias, Associate Vice President for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice at University of Southampton, and Co-Applicant of Versus Arthritis Project, said: "This research is really trying to uncover and illuminate the issues around pain and how that can improve the welfare in healthcare of specifically black communities.
"There are barriers that are not often seen and where we see some of the black communities don't feel reflected or represented in the healthcare services.
"Uncovering these nuances will lead to a better relationship with healthcare systems."
More than half a million pounds of funding has been provided by Versus Arthritis to launch the project in Southampton.