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Walmart Launches Effort to Include More Women, Minorities in Clinical Trials

October 13, 2022

BizWomen
Anne Stych
Oct. 12, 2022

Walmart Inc. has launched a health care research institute that will focus on including underrepresented communities like women, minorities, older adults, and rural residents in clinical studies for medical interventions and medications.

The company said that clinical trials often are not representative of the population at large, drawing participants who live near research centers and have the time and the financial ability to participate. According to Food and Drug Administration data cited by Walmart, 75% of participants in 2020 were white, 11% were Hispanic, 8% were Black and 6% were Asian.

The retailer said its new Walmart Healthcare Research Institute will focus on studies that can have a health equity impact in the communities it serves and that represent all populations, working with study partners including clinical research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and academic medical centers.

“The efforts by Walmart in research are innovative and impactful — it is clear that the intention behind their foray into this space is to genuinely make a difference for patients of all ages, race and gender in their ability to access research,” said Bill Hawkins, chairman of the board, Duke University Health. “This initiative will support individual patient health as well as the health of numerous communities home to Walmart stores.”

Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has been steadily expanding its presence in health care, opening standalone Walmart Health centers adjacent to Walmart supercenters in four states over the past three years to provide services ranging from primary care to labs, X-ray and EKG, behavioral health and counseling, dental, optical, and hearing care.

In September, Walmart announced a 10-year collaboration with health insurance provider UnitedHealth Group to provide preventive health care for seniors via a co-branded Medicare Advantage plan as well as virtual care for all of the members of one of UnitedHealth’s preferred provider plans.

Walmart’s health and wellness business is led by cardiologist and women’s health advocate Dr. Cheryl Pegus, who was named to the executive vice president role in November of 2020. She is responsible for the direction of more than 4,700 Walmart pharmacies, 3,400 vision centers, Walmart health centers, digital health capabilities and Walmart Insurance Services, LLC.

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