Why is Research Inclusion important?

Diversity and Inclusion in health and care research are essential for many reasons, all of which contribute to the overall effectiveness, impact, fairness, and applicability of research. Here are some of the key reasons why inclusivity is so important:

It’s ethical

Respect for all communities: All groups should have the right to participate in health research, especially as public health directly affects all populations. Ethical research practices advocate for the inclusion of historically marginalised and underserved populations in research.
Informed consent and fair participation: Ensuring that all groups have equal access to participate means that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from potential discoveries, treatments, and interventions resulting from research.

It leads to better understanding of health conditions

Variation in disease expression: Many health conditions may affect different groups in unique ways. Some diseases, for example, may manifest differently in men vs. women, or in one ethnic group compared to another. Including diverse participants can help researchers understand these differences, which can lead to more accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.
Understanding underrepresented health needs: Certain populations may have health needs or concerns that have not been well-studied. Including these groups in research can generate new information and lead to better tailored interventions.

It improves study validity and reliability

Reduces bias: Without diverse representation, research studies might unintentionally favour one group’s health outcomes over others. By including diverse groups, researchers reduce the risk of bias and ensure more reliable findings.
Broadens the evidence base: Including a diverse range of people helps build a more comprehensive understanding of health and disease. This broader evidence base can improve the quality of research and contribute to more robust, actionable findings.

It improves generalisability and equity

Representation of diverse populations: If certain groups (e.g., ethnic minority communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, or people from different socioeconomic backgrounds) are excluded, the research findings might not apply to everyone. Including diverse groups in health and care research ensures that the results are generalisable and relevant to the whole population.
Health equity: Health inequalities exist across different demographic groups. Excluding these groups from research means that their specific needs and challenges might not be addressed. Research Inclusion can help identify and address these disparities, ultimately promoting health equity.

It fosters innovation

Diverse perspectives: Involving people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences can foster creative and innovative thinking. Diverse teams and study populations are more likely to uncover and explore new research questions, and identify previously overlooked issues in health and care research.

It helps build trust

Public confidence in research: Historically, many underserved groups have been excluded from or exploited in research. Including these groups can help rebuild trust between the research community and the public. When people feel included, represented, respected and heard, they are more likely to trust and participate in future studies.

Inclusion is about ensuring that research findings are applicable, accurate, and beneficial for everyone. By including a diverse range of participants, health and care research becomes more ethical, comprehensive, and likely to result in health improvements that can be universally applied.