RESEARCHERS have been using rap in Govanhill to look at how health services are failing minority communities.

They enlisted the help of local beatboxer Bigg Taj and Audrey Tait of Hector Bizerk to film the music video on the South Side.

And now the efforts of the Edinburgh University researchers have been featured in medical journal The Lancet.

The song, Dear Human, was written and performed by actor Belle Jones and musicians Lauren Gilmour, of Bella and the Bear, and Audrey Tait of Hektor Bizerk, as part of an Edinburgh University project called Measuring Humanity.

Scotland’s top beatboxer Bigg Taj, who lives in Govanhill, also featured on the track alongside Roma band E Karika Djal.

Writing in the lancet, Dr Marisa de Andrade from Edinburgh University says the video and wider project challenges academics and policy makers to think differently about what evidence they use when making decisions.

She said: “Working with marginalised groups, the participant-led research programme uses bottom-up creative community engagement to challenge policy makers and academics to reassess what counts as evidence when developing policies, practices, and recommendations.

"The video features rapping written using co-produced data from marginalised community members, health and voluntary sector practitioners, and researchers.”

Belle Jones wrote the lyrics after attending a number of workshops in Govanhill Baths.

The sessions brought musicians, health practitioners and members of the Roma community together to make music around themes of health, wellbeing and inequalities.

Sean Kerwin, who produced the video, said: “It's really unique to have a university research project evolve into this amazing piece of music, co-produced with the community and featuring talented local musicians from diverse backgrounds.

"It’s no surprise really that the vibrant cultural melting pot of Govanhill is the perfect place to create great art like this.”