Driving innovation and improving patient outcomes through inclusive medical research
Achieving diversity and inclusion in medical research is essential for advancing healthcare, discovering novel drug therapies, and achieving overall health equity.
When research is conducted, it’s important to ensure that multiple patient populations are considered, since disease may manifest or progress differently depending on patients’ characteristics. We know for example that women’s heart attack symptoms are different than men’s. Elsevier’s Lancet journal, in their commission ‘Women, power, and cancer’ in September 2023, also recommended among the priority actions to improve representation of women in cancer research to 50%.
This is not where we are today. Amongst the US’s National Institutes of Health investigators, 22% identified as Asian, 2% as Black, 5% as Hispanic, and 65% as White.i Additionally, the Elsevier 2024 Gender Equality in Research & Innovation Report revealed that women only constitute 41% of active researchers globally. This declines to 27% as seniority levels increase.
Having a diverse medical research team is just as crucial as diversity among healthcare delivery teams. By integrating diversity across the healthcare spectrum – from designing clinical trials to delivering patient care – we can effectively address health disparities and uncover innovative solutions to complex medical challenges. This drives more accurate treatments and enhances patient outcomes. From research to bedside, embracing inclusion in medical research is key to providing the best care for patients.
Why different perspectives matter
Over the years, there has been a significant emphasis on ensuring diverse populations are included in clinical trials, encompassing a wide range of backgrounds. Various factors like genetic variations, environmental influences, and cultural beliefs can significantly affect the efficacy and safety of drug therapies. By incorporating a broad participant base in clinical trials, researchers can gather rich and comprehensive data that accurately reflects the real-world diversity of patients.
Having investigators and medical research staff who reflect the communities they serve is also crucial to achieving medical research that serves everyone. Gender equity is a vital component, ensuring that both men and women have equal opportunities to contribute to and lead research initiatives. This enhances cultural competence and reduces biases, allowing the medical research team to better understand and address the needs of clinical trial participants. It is also important to include researchers local to the region in health research projects, as they may have awareness of other relevant dimensions to consider.
Teams reflecting a range of perspectives are also more likely to recognise and prioritise the unique health challenges faced by under-resourced communities, leading to the development of targeted interventions that effectively address health disparities. For instance, a team with members from different backgrounds may be better equipped to understand the genetic and environmental factors affecting specific populations, resulting in more accurate and effective treatments.
Moreover, by reinforcing a range of perspectives, teams can more effectively identify and address potential biases in methodology, data, and AI. They are also catalysts for innovation, as the collaboration of individuals with varied perspectives often yields creative solutions to complex medical problems. This innovation is crucial for advancing medical science and developing therapies that are effective for a wide range of patients.
Supporting gender equity in medical research teams
According to the Elsevier 2024 Gender Equality in Research & Innovation Report, women researchers are well-represented across health sciences, including nursing (68%), psychology (61%), neuroscience (50%), and pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceuticals (49%), and medicine (48%).
However, achieving gender equality in medical research leadership teams remains a challenge. Women continue to be underrepresented at the senior level, with data showing a decline in the number of women authors reaching mid-career stages. Furthermore, women innovators are severely underrepresented, with only 3% of patents globally led by women-only teams (versus 66% held by men-only teams).
To address this, it is essential to provide mentoring and coaching from academic leaders and funders, along with policies that support the development of diverse clinical teams. Additionally, focus on offering financial incentives, preferential funding, and targeted training to translate medical research into innovation and new drug therapies. Support for early-career women researchers - in medical fields and beyond – is also critical. As is support for researchers who are ‘on the ground’ in areas or countries where health inequities are most persistent.
In all, the significance of diverse research teams cannot be overstated. They are crucial for ensuring that medical research is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and innovative, ultimately leading to groundbreaking drug innovations and better health outcomes for all patients. Inclusivity in research is essential not only as a moral obligation, but also as a practical necessity for advancing medical science and improving patient care.
Looking ahead, we must all champion diversity and inclusion within medical research teams. By embracing the rich tapestry of backgrounds and perspectives, we can unlock revolutionary drug advancements that address the unique health challenges faced by various populations. This commitment to diversity will pave the way for a healthcare system that is not only more equitable, but also more effective, ensuring that every individual receives the best possible medical care they deserve. Better health outcomes for more individuals will ultimately benefits us all, as well as our economies, workplaces, and communities.
References
i Nguyen M, Chaudhry SI, Desai MM, Dzirasa K, Cavazos JE, Boatright D. Gender, JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(2):e230855
About the author
Mirit Eldor is managing director of Life Sciences Solutions and executive sponsor for gender equity at Elsevier. She is also secretary of Elsevier’s external inclusion and diversity advisory board.
