Accelerating Health Equity Through Research and Education
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COVID-19 has quickened the pace of scientific collaboration, discovery, and innovation. But this global spotlight on science, specifically health science, has shown the fault lines in the healthcare system, especially relating to equal access and fair treatment.
On World Health Day, we are all called to build a fairer, healthier world, but we cannot begin to build this world without recognizing that our vulnerable and marginalized communities not only have inequal access to quality healthcare but are also often battling bias and racism when seeking out care. This World Health Day, and every day, Wiley is working to spread awareness surrounding inequity with the ultimate goal of advancing change to create equal access in the healthcare industry worldwide.
Black people receive a lower standard of care than white people when being treated for breast cancer, orthopedic problems, cardiovascular disease, pain, and end of life care, among others. (cited from Pediatric Blood & Cancer). Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women (cited from the CDC). And Quality of healthcare is closely connected to social position or other socially determined circumstances. People of lower socio-economic status are more likely to have worse self-reported health, lower life expectancy, and suffer from more chronic conditions when compared with those of higher socio-economic status.
Researchers, professionals, and organizations alike have made huge strides in pushing for equity in healthcare and improving health for those experiencing bias and discrimination when seeking out care. Putting words into actions, Wiley is committed to spreading awareness on the need to advance equity in healthcare for all. With the creation of programs focused on fostering better health outcomes by building diverse health databases, to providing superior learning outcomes for students to succeed in their careers and more, the research and education industries have the power to provide resources and advance knowledge that helps enable more equitable healthcare.
1. Prioritize Inclusivity in Health Research and Take Action to Become Trusted Partners
Here, Stephanie Devaney, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, All Of Us Research Program, National Institutes Of Health (NIH), shares five lessons to rebuild trust in Health Research Among Marginalized Communities. NIH’s All of Us Research Program focuses on fostering better health outcomes for all Americans by building one of the most diverse health databases in history, increasing historically underrepresented communities in medical research (such as racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, and more).
2. Enable Diversity in Research and Medical Fields
We need to clear the way for future scientists and healthcare professionals by leveling roadblocks in STEM. Wiley does this through digital courseware solutions, including Knewton Alta and zyBooks, which provide superior learning outcomes for students to succeed in college and through their career, and mthree, the company's last-mile training provider that recruits, trains and places tech talent directly into jobs fully prepared with the skills that they need to succeed.
3. Foster Diverse Talent to Thrive and Advance
After clearing the way for more people to pursue careers in STEM, we must foster talent and help that talent advance in their careers. Companies across the board are looking to the power of learning to increase talent mobility and support their workforce, and they are looking to solutions like Wiley Beyond to provide tuition assistance programs that work hard for both the learner’s aspirations and the organization’s needs.
Career advancement is a consistent theme across Wiley in both education and research, and Wiley’s expanding research platform offering include the hosting and management of career centers for our partners that help researchers and other job-seekers connect with great jobs.
Through RISE – Research in Support of Equity – Wiley provides critical resources to engage our communities with evidence-based articles surrounding social equity through historical and geographic context, as well as contemporary insights.
Check out the following articles to learn more about the disparities in public health as it relates to race and ethnicity – all are free to access.
Racism: A Public Health Crisis
By Katie L. Acosta
Race, Ethnicity, Culture, and Disparities in Health Care
By Leonard E. Egede MD, MS
Unequal Distribution of COVID‐19 Risk Among Rural Residents by Race and Ethnicity
By Carrie Henning‐Smith PhD, MPH, MSW, Mariana Tuttle MPH, Katy B. Kozhimannil PhD, MPA
Follow these accounts on their social channels for a daily dose of inspiration.
Dr. Uché Blackstock, @usce_blackstock
Dr. Blackstock is an emergency medicine physician, Yahoo News medical contributor and Founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, and organization tackling bias and racism in healthcare.
Alice Wong, @DisVisability
Alice Wong (she/her) is a disabled activist, media maker, and consultant based in San Francisco and the Founder and Director of the Disability Visibility Project.
Dr. Oni Blackstock, @oni_blackstock
Dr. Blackstock is a primary care and HIV physician and researcher, and founder and director of Health Justice, which helps healthcare, public health, and other organizations center anti-racism and equity in their workplace culture and reduce health inequities in the communities they serve.
Wiley supports the following organizations and the important work they are doing. Follow them to learn more and join them in their efforts.
Amnesty International: @amnestyusa
The Loveland Foundation: @LLTherapyFnd
Black Aids Institute: @blackaids
ECANA Women: @ECANAwomen
Partners in Health: @PIH
Get Us PPe: @getusppe
