hether you are a health science educator, research or clinician, you can take action to help ensure everyone has fair and just opportunities to achieve their best health. Health equity starts with what we do today to ensure that in the years to come we can have a healthier population.
Recruit and retain a diverse workforce
This may be the single most important thing we can do to ensure a more equitable future. A workforce made up of people from many different races, cultures, religions and backgrounds can provide higher quality care to patients. Studies show people feel more comfortable receiving care from nurses, physicians and providers who are from a similar background. A diverse workforce can also better recognize issues that may be affecting different populations of people.
Examine clinical trial eligibility
Clinical trials are the cutting edge of therapy that all patients should have access to. But a more diverse background of patients in studies also improves the rigor of the study and the reliability of the science. We need to examine inclusion criteria as well as the language we use when recruiting participants to ensure that more people feel they can participate in these trials.
Recognize the power of community engagement
Community engagement is more than just education at health fairs. It means giving community members a seat at the table, such as inviting them to join advisory boards. It means listening to the community’s needs and finding a way to be an equal partner with existing organizations.
Raise the bar for journals and funding agencies
We can only improve when we hold each other accountable. When evaluating grants, reviewing papers or looking at studies that include race, look for mentions of racism in the discussion section. Comment on that and ask the investigator to include information on racism. Be vocal. Ensure others are also thinking about health inequities in your community.
Learn and use inclusive language
Inclusive language acknowledges diversity in respectful and sensitive ways. Using this language in your practice, in your lab and in your studies impact how people see our work. It makes patients feel more welcome, improve their engagement and empower them to be a partner in their healthcare.
Taking these five steps within your lab or your clinic can help shift equity in healthcare and increase justice in your community. Some changes will happen quickly; others will take time, but making these efforts is always worth it.
The Power of Inclusive Language
When using inclusive language, you’ll want to follow these tips:
- Avoid vague and stigmatizing adjectives. For instance, calling a community “high-risk” or “hard-to-reach.” This language is not clear and doesn’t explain why a community doesn’t have equitable access to better health.
- Avoid dehumanizing language and use person-first language. For instance, we are not treating cancer. We are treating a patient with cancer.
- Be specific about groups you are talking about. Avoid general terms like “minority” and instead name the race, culture or background you are actually refer to. Be specific as possible.
- Avoid violent language, such as “fighting cancer.” These words aren’t clear and can be triggering for people who have a lived through violence.
- Avoid unintentionally blaming language, such as non-compliant. Be clear about why a patient is having difficulty following a care plan. Do they have trouble getting transportation? Do they have financial struggles? Avoid labeling or stereotyping patients, especially in the EMR.
- Be wary of race-based treatment algorithms. These algorithms often use race as stand-in for a more specific factor, such as family history or genetics. Because they are so generalized, they can lead to care that isn’t right for a specific patient.
- Keep learning. Inclusive language is always changing. Do your best to stay up-to-date on the latest language and terms.
Gita Suneja
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