Creation to Dissemination: A Roadmap for Health Equity Research

Health equity is the point at which all individuals have an equal opportunity to experience optimal health and thriving. The current state of health care is far from this ideal as numerous populations experience health disparities: differences in health or health outcomes that negatively impact groups who experience systemic disadvantage. All research has the potential to widen, maintain, or close health disparities. This article focuses on key opportunities for hospitalists of all levels of research experience to conduct research that promotes health equity from project planning to disseminating results. During the planning phase, learning health equity research concepts, developing study designs in partnership with communities, and recognizing the limitations of secondary analyses are key strategies that promote health equity. Developing strategies for recruiting populations underrepresented in research helps ensure that disparities in health outcomes are identified. Rather than conducting descriptive research to identify disparities, research which aims to improve health outcomes for groups that have been marginalized is urgently needed. Study analyses should consider intersectionality and patient-centered outcomes. Finally, dissemination to both academic and community audiences, with careful attention to words and figures, can catalyze future directions, mitigate bias, and help ensure that marginalized communities benefit equitably from research findings.