Health Equity Core Offers Guidelines for Inclusive Language in Practical Trials on March 28, 2024

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

According to Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda, it is crucial to respect the personal preferences of individuals and communities when collaborating with them in research settings. The cheat sheet serves as a reference guide for researchers, providing essential guidelines for instances where direct input on preferred language is not available. Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda, who is also an associate professor and assistant dean at the Duke University School of Nursing, hopes that the cheat sheet will be a valuable tool 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, identify barriers to this integration, and develop 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.