The APPG on Medical Research has published a new report that makes the case for medical research as a key tool for change to reduce health disparities.
The report urges a shift in priorities for research funding to give a new focus to diversity and inclusion, claiming that research is a vital but under-utilised tool in the fight to address health inequalities in the UK.
The report makes a number of recommendations including:
- that funders should give increased priority to research that helps address health disparities, including a focus on translational, interdisciplinary and prevention research,
- that funders should encourage grant applicants to include people with lived experience, especially from under-served groups, throughout their research
- that research funders should share best practice on diversity and inclusion for all stages of clinical research and develop guidance to upskill researchers.