In January 2025, the Research in Europe and Diversity Inclusion (READI) consortium was launched. The mission of READI is to promote inclusivity in clinical research and improve patient access to innovative treatments. The Horizon Europe Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) funds this consortium, which consists of 73 organizations from 18 different countries. UMC Utrecht is also part of the consortium. Together, they will combine their expertise in clinical research, patient advocacy, digital healthcare, and regulatory affairs.
People from underrepresented groups—such as ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities, the elderly, or individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds—often do not participate in clinical research. As a result, essential knowledge about how diseases and treatments affect different populations is missing. This also limits access to new healthcare innovations for many people. The multidisciplinary consortium aims to create a more inclusive and democratic ecosystem for clinical research across Europe. This will ensure that underrepresented populations are better represented in scientific studies in the future. The ultimate goal is full inclusivity, with the patient at the center of research.
To achieve this, researchers will use Real-World Data (RWD) to map the characteristics of underrepresented groups and gain insights into their inclusion in research. Additionally, key stakeholders involved with these populations will be brought together. They will receive the necessary tools, training, and strategies to reach and engage these patient groups in clinical studies.
UMC Utrecht plays a crucial role in identifying underrepresented groups. “We do this by comparing the current representation of different patient groups in studies with how often we see these patients in clinical practice,” explains associate professor Sanne Peters, who is involved in the research alongside Mira Zuidgeest and others. Additionally, UMC Utrecht is working on innovations in the design, execution, and analysis of clinical studies to make them more accessible to a broader range of participants. This work builds on previous expertise in diversity in healthcare and clinical research, including initiatives such as Trials@Home and GetReal.
Ultimately, the READI consortium contributes to greater health equity across Europe by driving innovation and inclusivity in clinical research.
