Creating Inclusivity in Healthcare Research: The Equitable Language Cheat Sheet by Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda of the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory

Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, co-chair of the Health Equity Core in the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory, has created a new resource to guide researchers on how to use inclusive language when working with diverse populations. The Equitable Language Cheat Sheet is available on the Health Equity Core webpage and will be updated regularly to reflect changing terminology and guidance.

In an interview, Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda emphasized the importance of respecting individual preferences for identification when collaborating with diverse populations in research. The cheat sheet serves as a valuable tool for researchers and partners who may not have direct input from the communities they are working with, providing essential guidelines for communication.

The cheat sheet covers preferred terminology for various identities, including age, race and ethnicity, gender, differing abilities, drug/substance abuse, underserved populations, and partners and populations of focus. It aims to promote respectful and inclusive language in research and foster a more equitable approach to healthcare.

The Health Equity Core also provides direction on integrating a health equity perspective in pragmatic clinical research. The Core works to identify barriers to achieving health equity in research and develops strategies and tools to promote a more inclusive approach in pragmatic trials. The Equitable Language Cheat Sheet is just one of many resources that the Core offers to address biases and advance health equity in research settings.