The Centre for Research Equity, hosted within our department, has announced a major new partnership with Health and Care Research Wales to increase diversity and inclusion in health and social care research.
The collaboration will support a new three-year action plan being launched by Health and Care Research Wales, aimed at ensuring research better reflects and benefits Wales' diverse communities. The partnership was announced at a special event at the Senedd, hosted by Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales.
Healthcare inequalities remain a significant challenge, with factors such as ethnicity, disability, age and deprivation all influencing health outcomes. In Wales, women born in the most disadvantaged areas live on average 17 fewer years in good health than those born in the most affluent areas.
Professor Aziz Sheikh, Head of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, said: "We're delighted that our Centre for Research Equity is partnering with Health and Care Research Wales on this vital initiative. As a department committed to advancing primary care for all communities, we know that research which doesn't reflect the full diversity of the populations it aims to serve simply isn't good enough. This partnership exemplifies the collaborative approach needed to ensure that health and care research truly benefits everyone, and we're proud to support Wales in leading the way on inclusive research practices."
The importance of inclusive research was highlighted by public involvement member Praveena Pemmasani, 23, from Cardiff, who is in her final year studying medicine at Cardiff University. For six years, she has advised researchers as part of a public involvement group for young people aged 14 to 25.
"Being more inclusive in your research means you are drawing from a more representative population, making your findings relevant to more people," Praveena said. "It also helps build trust within the communities affected by the research. Ultimately, researchers can collect all the data they want, but if communities don't trust that the research is relevant to them, it's futile."
Professor Mahendra Patel, founding director and inclusion and diversity lead at the Centre for Research Equity, said: "Overlooking certain groups, whether due to ethnicity, disability, age, rurality, or any other factor, risks perpetuating inequalities, as well as biased guidance. Treatments may be less effective, or have unexpected side effects in underrepresented groups.
"Inclusive research means better research and fairer systems, leaving us better able to understand the health and care needs of the communities we serve and how to address them effectively. This new plan and partnership is a reflection of the huge appetite to work collaboratively in Wales and to lead the way in inclusive research practices that benefit all."
Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said: "While the overall health of the Welsh population continues to improve, the gaps between those with the best and worst health and wellbeing still persist and are in some cases widening. Increasing diversity and inclusion in research is an important part of achieving [Wales becoming a Marmot Nation], and will lead to outcomes that encompass, reflect and benefit Wales' whole population."
The Centre for Research Equity, based in Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, advances health equity by building strategic partnerships and promoting inclusive research practices across the UK and beyond. It focuses on strengthening inclusive research infrastructure, influencing equitable research policy, and ensuring that under-represented communities are meaningfully involved in health and care research.
Health and Care Research Wales works with the NHS, universities, other research funders, patients and the public to fund, promote and support high-quality research relevant to the needs and challenges of everyone in Wales.
[Find out more about the Centre for Research Equity]