Strengthening Health Research to Advance Equitable, Patient-Centered Care.

Abstract

Clinical trials remain the foundation of evidence-based medicine but often fail to reflect the diversity, complexity, and real-world contexts of the populations they are intended to serve. Insights from the 2025 Symposium to Strengthen Health Research highlight structural barriers - including restrictive eligibility criteria, historical mistrust, inequitable access to trial sites, and misaligned research incentives - that limit equitable participation. Addressing these challenges requires a shift toward community-engaged research, pragmatic and decentralized trial designs, and artificial intelligence-enabled tools that connect patients with appropriate studies. This article outlines a cross-sector strategy for embedding equity, real-world relevance, and patient partnership into the design, funding, and implementation of clinical research.