Q2 2024 Real Health Equity Check-Up: Innovative Solutions to Address Healthcare Inequities

Welcome to Real Chemistry’s Real Health Equity Check-Up, a quarterly summary of relevant highlights and emerging trends in today’s complex, ever-evolving health equity space.

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Welcome back,

"The Real Health Equity Check-Up (RCU)” reflects our intention to pause, reflect, and check-in about work that inspires us to expand our potential as change-agents and our purview as industry-leading experts.

In a world where inequities in healthcare access and outcomes continue to widen, it is imperative to reinforce and reimagine innovation in health equity. We can address systemic barriers and create a more inclusive healthcare system by embracing new technologies, policies, and collaborative efforts.

The RCU illuminates the path toward a fairer healthcare landscape.

Quarterly, we'll curate diverse perspectives, share compelling stories, and highlight what is reshaping conversations–and actions–around health equity.

We’ll provide you with insights and resources aimed at disrupting inequities in our healthcare systems and improving everyone’s access to better health outcomes.

RELEVANT NEWS IN Q2

Pushing for innovative thinking and solutions in addressing healthcare inequities among diverse patient populations

Earned media trends this quarter highlighted a push to address healthcare inequities, stimulate innovative thinking around health equity, and emphasize the brain health of diverse patient populations.

• In recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride month, notable earned media articles highlighted the importance of using gender-inclusive language in healthcare settings to create a welcoming environment and improve health outcomes for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals.

  • Cancer Therapy Advisor’s “Reconceptualizing Women’s Health: Using Trans-Inclusive Language for More Equitable Care” also underscored the importance of training healthcare providers on gender-affirming care and how it can increase their knowledge, comfort, and self-efficacy when working with TGD patients.

• Also in June, US News hosted the State of Equity in America 2024 Conference in Washington, DC where thought leaders and experts gathered for a conversation about equity in America.

• This quarter, reports emphasized the need to address and treat brain health specifically among Black and Hispanic patients. US News’ “One Neurological Factor Keeps Black, Hispanic Patients From Alzheimer's Clinical Trials” highlighted the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Black and Hispanic individuals, in Alzheimer disease (AD) clinical trials in the United States. The lack of diversity affects the generalizability of findings, biomarker cutoffs for diagnosis, and treatment effectiveness of treatments across racial and ethnic groups.

THOSE TO WATCH

National conversations are sparking action on neglected health issues and innovations in care

Social media conversations on health equity stressed the urgency of addressing neglected issues and innovating care. Topics ranged from the American Medical Association's discussion on the state of health justice and the Endometriosis CARE Act reintroductions to substantial funding proposals for research and better mental health access in Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. Organizations around the country have taken to social accounts to highlight both progress and ongoing challenges that different communities experience.

• The American Medical Association (AMA) hosted a state of the union on threats and opportunities in advancing health equity

  • At the AMA's National Health Equity Grand Rounds event, renowned experts in health, policy, and justice sectors discussed the current state, challenges, and strategies critical for advancing health equity and building a robust, inclusive democracy in the US

• Endo Black, Inc, recgonized the reintroduction of the endometriosis CARE act

  • Endo Black Incorporated celebrated the reintroduction of the Endometriosis CARE Act at the US Capitol, advocating for a $250 million investment over five years to improve endometriosis research, awareness, and care, alongside key policymakers and advocates.

• The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies led a panel aimed to underscore the importance of mental health in the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community

  • Moderated by Kimmy Yam from NBC Asian America, the panel at the 2024 APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit addressed critical mental health issues within the AA & NH/PI community, focusing on integrating services, enhancing accessibility through cultural competence, and combating stigma to improve care outcomes.

OUR HEALTH EQUITY EFFORTS IRL

A few among us attended this year’s ASCO conference, "The Art and Science of Cancer Care: From Comfort to Cure"

The ASCO Conference, hosted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, is a premier event that gathers thousands of professionals worldwide to showcase the latest advancements in cancer research, treatment, and care through presentations, seminars, and poster sessions.

One groundbreaking case study presented at the conference highlighted the development of inhibitors for mutations in the KRAS gene, which are among the most challenging to treat, and emphasized the importance of patient-reported outcomes.

The push: These innovations advance healthcare toward greater health equity by encouraging individualized care, expanding the benefits of the latest oncology discoveries to a broader range of patient.

Some at Real Chemistry attended the CMS Health Equity Conference about Enhancing Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services

This year, a compelling case study, "Project Role," focused on reducing the risk of readmission and optimizing language access to improve equity. The project aims to enhance healthcare for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients through three main strategies:

1. Increasing healthcare professionals' awareness of language interpreter services,

2. Collaborating with community-based organizations to offer educational programs about patient rights and language access, and

3. Leveraging technology to train both healthcare professionals and community members in medical interpretation.

The push: Project Role expands the boundaries of traditional health equity efforts by integrating technology and community collaboration to enhance language services in healthcare settings. This approach improves communication between healthcare providers and LEP patients and empowers patients by educating them about their rights and available resources.

The take-home: By embedding innovative health equity strategies into the healthcare system, we can establish a new standard for how healthcare institutions proactively address and overcome language barriers to care and advance equity in health outcomes.

CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE? CHECK OUT HOW:

More than 20 years after a landmark report chronicled the existence of health inequities in the US, a sequel finds little has improved.

• Despite growing awareness, the National Academics of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that inequities are entrenched in the US healthcare system and require policy change and structural redesign to dismantle.

• Why it matters: The report emphasizes, health inequities affect everyone — and solving them benefits all.

The US Food and Drug Administration published updated guidance on clinical trial diversity

• The 23-page document outlines how to format, include, and submit diversity action plans to the FDA.

• In short: Companies are expected to set recruitment goals for different racial groups, stratified by age and gender, and explain their rationale and strategies. These goals should align with the condition’s epidemiology the company’s product treats.

Biogen is hoping to make the skies a bit more friendly to all airline passengers

• Biogen and Delta are collaborating to make airplanes more accessible and comfortable for passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

• Why it matters: Although this is not a branded campaign, the collaboration aligns with Biogen’s ongoing work in SMA, one of its core disease areas.

The American Cancer Society published a report concluding that LGBTQ+ populations may have elevated risk of cancer, compounded by barriers to care

• The report was published on May 31st in the ACS’ journal Cancer, alongside a companion version of the article (PDF).

• The takeaway: LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk for cancer, but experience multiple barriers to high-quality healthcare, such as discrimination and a lack of provider knowledge about their unique medical needs.

How pharmacy closures are hurting rural and urban communities

• In cities across the US, major retail pharmacies have closed hundreds of stores over the past few years, and independent retailers can’t always afford to stay open. This leaves residents of color without easy access to prescriptions, public health services like vaccinations, over-the-counter medicines, and even food.

• Digging deeper: Pharmacists play a vital role in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart issues, which are more common in Black and Hispanic communities.

When pharmacists or pharmacy technicians do not reflect their customer base in speaking the same language or understanding the community, patients may feel uncomfortable asking questions about the medication, leading to medication misuse or noncompliance.

A recent study found clinical trial diversity has seen increasing representation in company communications since 2018, but the outcomes have been murky at best

• The report highlights many barriers to increasing diversity of clinical trials. Currently, the tactics used to increase diversity in clinical trials include creating senior leadership roles in charge of trial diversity, utilizing telehealth visits, broadening eligibility criteria, reaching out to patients in grassroots efforts, and creating metrics for success of diversity initiatives.

• Going beyond the surface: Despite these efforts, mistrust in the healthcare system is still seen as a significant barrier to enrollment of historically minoritized patients by one third of pharma and biotech executives. When considering the root causes of this mistrust, the report cites past abuses such as the Tuskegee experiments, a series of unethical clinical studies where African American male patients were not informed of their diagnosis and were not provided with appropriate treatment.

• What you should know: Negative experiences in healthcare further discourage racial and ethnically diverse patients from participating in trials. While some drugmakers have implemented processes to comply with the FDA’s 2022 draft guidance on improving diversity, many have not yet formalized their planning which includes addressing the mistrust head on with community engagement campaigns.

ATTEND THESE Q2 AND Q3 EVENTS:

• RISE for Equity: Reflect, Inspire, Strengthen & Empower 2024 – August 1-3

• EQTY 2024: Accelerating Health Justice – September 12

We hope that the RCU encourages you to explore alternative perspectives, challenge conventional narratives, and amplify voices that have long been marginalized.

Reinforcing and reimagining innovation in health equity is not just important—it is essential.

Together, we can drive progress that ensures everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can achieve optimal health.

Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to exploring more transformative ideas with you next quarter.

Special shoutout to our curators for this quarter’s edition of the RCU including Tonyka McKinney, Ashlei Rodgers, Elliott Burgess, Deon Galbadores, Ashley McSwain, and Andrea Wang.

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