Multinational retail giant Walmart unveiled its new Walmart Healthcare Research Institute (WHRI) in connection with the company’s drive to help democratize access to healthcare and research focused on reducing health disparities. WHRI is concentrating its efforts on medications and interventions that have the potential to improve health conditions for individuals and families in underrepresented communities.
From a community engagement and inclusion standpoint, Walmart’s initiative is focusing on securing the inclusion of members of underrepresented populations in health-related studies, such as on chronic condition treatments, that disproportionately impact individuals from these communities. The initial program and research targets include individuals who come from minority, rural, elderly and female populations.
The WHRI launch comes on the heels of decades of healthcare and medical clinical trials that failed to include participants who, in many cases, are most impacted by the research results. For example, such trials often include participants who have the financial and time availability to participate, and even individuals who merely happen to live near the research centers. As recently as 2020, FDA data shows that 75% of participants in clinical trials were white, 11% were Hispanic, 8% were Black, and 6% were Asian.
Walmart’s commitment to health equity has the potential for meaningful and lasting change. 90% of Americans reside within ten miles of a Walmart store and, therefore, Walmart is very well positioned to provide healthcare solutions to individuals and families near where their residence or place of employment.
You can learn more about this initiative here.
