Research has recognized the disparity between care for specific regions and treatment for certain conditions. Underserved communities including minorities and more rural areas are often disproportionately affected by certain conditions and do not always have access to care. However, this problem is not isolated to undeveloped nations and third world countries. Healthcare remains inaccessible to many for different reasons within countries like the United States and more around the globe.  

Valuing equity in healthcare can significantly improve quality of life for people globally. To create a better world and a better healthcare system, health and biopharma professionals must begin to consider what populations aren’t being considered during research and development stages and trials.   

To make a lasting change, we must support each other and hold people accountable in pursuit of equity in healthcare. Companies within the biopharma and healthcare industries need to make health equity a priority to ensure we break down the previous system rooted in discrimination and injustice. Pursuing equity presents new opportunities to learn more and reach more people.  

Here are a few options that professionals can begin to incorporate to take steps toward achieving equity within the healthcare field.

Applications for Research (Cycle— Analyze, Expand, Challenge, Engage)
Equity in healthcare does not just happen within hospitals and doctor’s offices. To achieve true equity, it needs to be interwoven to our approach to all aspects of healthcare, including research, development, and clinical trials. One way to ensure we are aimed toward equity in all areas is to integrate a different approach. McKinsey & Company, a firm focused to create an unrivaled environment within our economy, suggests cycling through four steps to continually monitor the priorities of your research. The four steps are: Analyze, Expand, Challenge, and Engage.

“Data Driven” Solutions
We know that research is based on data. Thankfully, we can use a data driven mindset to build the foundation for equity in healthcare. Taking data from analyzing the populations being tested in clinical trials can answer important questions like “What populations are being neglected here? Is anyone being marginalized?” We can then use that data to modify research techniques and testing pools to better represent minorities and underrepresented communities.

Education and Awareness
In order to achieve equity on a global scale, education and awareness are important steps to grow the foundation. Offering education to employees and peers can help equity become a core part of research and initiatives within a company. Bringing awareness to the larger population can also significantly raise support for the issue of equity and potentially bring the topic to large entities and governing bodies.