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. 2025 May 7;35(2):49-52.
doi: 10.18865/EthnDis-2024-14. eCollection 2025 May.

A Case for Centering Health Equity as a Research Priority in Majority White Academic Medical Centers

Elizabeth A Bonney  1 , Gagan Deep Bajaj  2 , Olivia O Darko  1 , Maria Mercedes Avila  3 , Brittany M Williams  4
Affiliations

A Case for Centering Health Equity as a Research Priority in Majority White Academic Medical Centers

Elizabeth A Bonney et al. Ethn Dis. .

Abstract

Setting: In this commentary, 5 women of color who are engaged in different aspects of the research mission at the University of Vermont weigh in on the historical importance, current rationale, and persisting barriers to impactful health equity research.

Objective: Based on existing information, we delineate recommendations to grow capacity in this and similar majority White academic medical centers.

Conclusion: Our assertion is that an evolving, robust, and engaged infrastructure to support this research will benefit patients, faculty, and systems by providing evidence-based and culturally competent solutions that center and enhance the overall health of marginalized populations.

Keywords: Academic Medicine; Health Disparities; Health Equity; Majority White; Research Capacity; Social Justice; Vermont.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest reported by authors. Author Contributions Concept and Design: Bajaj, Bonney, Avila; Research/Acquisition of Data: Bajaj, Bonney, Darko, Avila; Manuscript Draft: Bajaj, Bonney, Avila, Williams; Editing: Bonney, Avila, Williams; Quantitative analysis: Bonney; Supervision: Avila Williams

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