Future of Health Summit 2020

Walking the Talk: Embedding Equity in Science Funding

Medical advances and the resulting healthcare improvements should be available to all; however, systemic racial inequities in scientific research, clinical studies, and access to care have contributed to a grossly unequal healthcare system. These inequalities have come into stark relief in 2020 with the confluence of widespread movements for social justice and a global pandemic that has disproportionately sickened and killed members of racial minorities. The present moment underscores the need to address racial disparities in healthcare, beginning with the funders of medical research. How can institutions ensure that their talent pipelines, including research study leaders, are diverse? How can foundations ensure that they are targeting underserved communities? How can scientists ensure that their studies represent target populations? Public and private funders and industry experts will discuss how targeted giving can help build and support a more equitable health system.