Breaking the Barrier: How Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda Promotes Inclusive Language in Health Research

Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, co-chair of the Health Equity Core in the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory, has led the development of a new resource aimed at guiding researchers on the use of inclusive language and terms when working with specific individuals, groups, and communities. The Equitable Language Cheat Sheet can be found on the Health Equity Core webpage and will be regularly updated to reflect evolving terminology and guidance.

As a journalist, I interviewed Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda about the cheat sheet’s importance in promoting respectful and inclusive language in research. According to her, “it’s crucial to respect 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 a more equitable approach to healthcare by fostering respectful communication that considers each individual’s unique needs and experiences.

In addition to providing language guidance, the Health Equity Core also offers direction on integrating a health equity perspective in pragmatic clinical research. The Core works to identify barriers to achieving health equity in research settings and develops strategies and tools to promote a more inclusive approach in pragmatic trials. The Equitable Language Cheat Sheet is just one example of how the Core is working towards advancing health equity in research settings.

Overall, Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda emphasized that addressing biases and promoting inclusivity is critical for achieving true health equity. By using inclusive language and considering individual preferences for identification, researchers can foster more equitable healthcare outcomes for all individuals.