Healthcare Leaders Discuss Equity and Trust

Leaders from healthcare, policy, and academic sectors discussed challenges and solutions to earning trust in healthcare, answering questions and responding to comments from an online audience. 

Made Wikandana, Disability and Inclusion Rights Activist, shared his perspective of navigating the health system with a visibility impairment. Blind since a young age, he emphasized the need for clear and consistent communications from providers. This is essential to ensure people with a visual impairment like him are properly able to understand important information such as appointments, prescriptions, and test results.

Marisa Miraldo, Professor of Health Economics at Imperial College London, spoke about the importance of collecting representative data on traditionally under-represented groups’ experiences. Understanding diverse experiences and creating evidence-based solutions to improve health systems for all is dependent on collecting and reporting on accurate data. Collecting and amplifying data is a key tenet of A Million Conversations - Sanofi’s global initiative to help rebuild trust in healthcare with the underrepresented.

Phill Della AM, Professor of Curtin University School of Nursing, shared insights from the healthcare system in Australia, where Aboriginal communities have been less likely to seek treatment due lower trust in the system. He shared how increased representation in the industry showed positive results:

“One of the things that I think Australia has done extremely well is investing in Aboriginal health workers [...] because when our Aboriginal people can see people of their own race, they are more likely to engage with the healthcare system. We haven't got it all right by any means, but we need to keep building on that.”

To improve representation in healthcare leadership roles, Sanofi has launched the NextGen Scholarship, collaborating with academic partners in countries around the world.

The report highlights the policy principles that need to be implemented to build trust between under-represented groups and healthcare. 

Moreover, actions to build trust in health is of benefit to everyone, no matter their background. Trusting relationships with healthcare providers results in open communication and improved adherence to medical advice, leading to better health outcomes.

The message is clear: right now, governments, healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations, and the healthcare industry must leverage their positions to advocate for and fund change. It’s time to work together to overcome increasing inequities, earn back trust, and ensure no one is left behind.