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.
