Department of Health Database and Literature Search
NOTE: The literature search and subsequent Bibliography for this project was completed while the Centre for Research in Library and Information Management (CERLIM) was based at the University of Central Lancashire during 1993-98. On 1 April 1998, CERLIM moved to a new base at Manchester Metropolitan University. Enquiries about CERLIM's work should be submitted to CERLIM at Manchester Metropolitan University.
"Health and older populations from ethnic minority groups" is the subject of two projects for the Department of Health. This is in recognition of the different health needs of the growing population of older ethnic minority people.
Database
This project will bring together on one database all information relating to health and ethnic minority older people, collated in an accessible format, to assist those endeavouring to meet the needs of those people, identify the areas in which the information or work is underdeveloped, and help inform policy decisions.
Database provision is not solely about the collection of information and its storage, but is the orderly collection of information, in one place, as a resource which is accessible to those who might benefit from it. In the case of older ethnic minority health such a database does not yet exist, and what little information does exist is fragmented and therefore difficult to access.The work will include:-
- the design and creation of a computer database;
- identification of sources of material
- gathering of all relevant materials on the issue, including: research, demography, statistics, practice issues, books, etc.;
- the creation of both a central record of such material and links to ensure its availability;
- promotion of the availability of the database as a resource through a range of mediums, including: hard copy, disc, CD ROM, and internet.
The target users are: DoH; researchers and research institutions; academics and universities; medical professionals (GPs, nursing, hospital, dental, etc., etc.); NHS Trusts; family health service authorities; community health councils; voluntary organisations; and private sector organisations (pharmaceutical industry, private nursing homes, etc.).
The Literature Search
This comprised the extensive search of a variety of databases, CD-ROMs, online and printed materials, with a date range of between 1983 and 1996. Sources include books, journal articles, conference proceedings, theses and some grey literature. Examples of search terms used are:-ageing or aging; black and Asian; elderly; ethnic*(truncation); health; minority; race; refugees.
A bibliography has been produced which is divided into subject areas with each subject area sub-divided into a country area. Information on the type of material has been given if available and brief descriptions included where appropriate. (Proposed publication later in the year '97) As a resource available to the target users the database can provide a wide range of otherwise uncoordinated information, which will help the analysis of current provision and development of future services.
For more details, please contact the project researchers:-
Geoff Butters (database)
Tel: +44 (0)161 247 6142
email: g.butters@mmu.ac.uk
Jenny Craven (literature search)
Tel: +44 (0)161 247 6142
email: j.craven@mmu.ac.uk
Fax: +44 (0)161 247 6142
email: cerlim@mmu.ac.uk