The concept is at the very core of everything we do: the best health care products are those that help the most people by providing the greatest benefit. Those products should result from clinical trials that include the diverse and representative populations who need them most. It sounds simple, but it’s not. The fact is that while people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds make up nearly 40% of the U.S. population -- and are disproportionally impacted by chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, they are still heavily under-represented in the clinical trials process. Women are likewise under-represented.

These gaps exacerbate existing health equity challenges by curbing access to life-changing and life-saving treatments for some, while limiting insights into how different groups respond to new therapies. So we are doing something to close those gaps. Right now. By launching an initiative to drive diversity in research and improve care among under-represented populations, we are working to advance health equity and make access a crucial aspect of product innovation, two key aspects of Abbott's 2030 Sustainability Program. The medical therapies we develop can only be as strong and inclusive as the people who design, develop and participate in our clinical trials. Their involvement will benefit all.