The Health Equity Core at NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory: Promoting Inclusive Language for a More Equitable Future

Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, the cochair of the Health Equity Core at the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory, has overseen the development of a valuable resource for researchers in the field of health equity. The Equitable Language Cheat Sheet is a written aid that provides guidance on using inclusive language when referring to specific individuals, groups, and communities. This document is available on the Health Equity Core webpage and will be regularly updated to reflect changes in terminology and best practices.

As an associate professor and assistant dean at the Duke University School of Nursing, Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda emphasizes the importance of respecting personal preferences when collaborating with individuals and communities in research settings. The cheat sheet serves as a reference guide for researchers, offering essential guidelines for instances where direct input on preferred language is not available. Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda hopes that this tool will be a valuable asset for researchers and partners working towards promoting health equity.

The Equitable Language Cheat Sheet includes preferred terminology for various identities such as age, race and ethnicity, gender, differing abilities, substance abuse, underserved populations, and partners of focus. The Health Equity Core aims to help pragmatic trials incorporate a health equity lens in their research by identifying barriers to this integration and developing strategies and tools to advance health equity. This living document aligns with the Core’s mission of overcoming biases and promoting health equity within pragmatic research.

To access the Equitable Language Cheat Sheet and learn more about the Health Equity Core’s work visit their webpage.