During his visit to San Diego County, Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, emphasized the importance of health care equity. As part of his National Latino Health Tour, Becerra aims to address the health disparities faced by Latinos and communities of color through collaboration with community partners and health care systems.
Becerra invited researchers and innovators from minority-serving institutions across California to explore new ways to improve diversity, access, and inclusion in clinical trials during the event, which was hosted by San Diego State University and ARPA-H, a federal agency established in 2022 that funds innovative health approaches.
The secretary highlighted the need for inclusive clinical trials to ensure that everyone benefits from research advancements, particularly for issues like cancer, which is the leading cause of death among Latinos. He stressed the importance of ensuring that clinical trial participation is accessible to all individuals regardless of their location.
ARPA-H Director Renee Wegrzyn also emphasized the agency’s focus on women’s health during her announcement of a $100 million investment in women’s health research. Wegrzyn noted that many women struggle to prioritize their health due to family and work responsibilities, prompting ARPA-H to innovate new ways to deliver healthcare services directly to the home. ARPA-H has already provided more than $10 million in funding to projects in San Diego County, reflecting their commitment to addressing health disparities at the local level.
