Inclusive Language in Health Equity Research: Empowering Communities through Collaborative Efforts

Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, cochair of the Health Equity Core at the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory, is passionate about using inclusive language in research settings. To help researchers do just that, she oversaw the development of a written aid called the Equitable Language Cheat Sheet. This resource offers guidance on using inclusive language when referring to specific individuals, groups, and communities. It serves as a reference guide for researchers, providing essential guidelines for instances where direct input on preferred language is not available.

Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda recognizes the importance of respecting personal preferences when collaborating with individuals and communities in research settings. The cheat sheet includes preferred terminology for various identities, such as age, race and ethnicity, gender, differing abilities, substance abuse, underserved populations, and partners of focus. By incorporating this language into research studies, pragmatic trials can better understand and address the unique needs of these communities.

The Health Equity Core aims to incorporate a health equity lens into pragmatic trials research by identifying barriers to this integration and developing strategies and tools to advance health equity. As an associate professor and assistant dean at the Duke University School of Nursing, Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda is committed to overcoming biases within pragmatic research and promoting health equity for all individuals and communities.

To learn more about the Equitable Language Cheat Sheet and the work of the Health Equity Core, visit their webpage today.