Tackling the lack of diversity in health research

ABSTRACT

Routen et al discuss the lack of diversity in health research. High-quality health research is central to evidence-informed health care. By assessing evidence on treatments, initiatives, and different ways of delivering services and changing practice where appropriate, health outcomes are improved. A survey of Wellcome Trust data found that people of White British ethnicity were 64% more likely than ethnic minority groups to have participated in health research, even when accounting for socioeconomic status, age, and sex. There has also been underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in COVID-19 research, including randomized trials of potential treatments, and vaccination and vaccine research, despite the greater COVID-19 burden experienced by ethnic minorities.