The importance of investing in health research that reflects the disease burden and healthcare priorities in ethnic minority groups has been highlighted through the COVID-19 pandemic as health inequities associated with COVID-19 have been widely reported.49,50 In the UK and USA, major funding bodies are recognising the value and importance of funding research into health inequities towards addressing structural inequity and the social determinants of health. The UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) launched a funding call for research to understand the disproportionate death rate from COVID-19 in minority ethnic groups in April 2020 worth £4.3 million.67,68 |
In the USA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a funding call in August 2021 focused on the social, behavioural, economic impact of COVID-19 in underserved and vulnerable populations.69 Similarly, the Institute of Healthcare Improvement has developed educational resources on the topic of equity.70,71 |