Understanding information (in)equity: influencing factors and medical information’s role in bridging the gap

Abstract

Medical Information in the pharmaceutical industry involves the creation and dissemination of evidence-based scientific medical content in response to questions about medicines and therapy areas for patients and healthcare professionals. Health information equity can be broadly defined as the distribution of health information in a way that is accessible and understandable to all users, allowing them to benefit and reach their full potential for health. Ideally, this information would be made available to all those in need across the globe. However, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread health discrepancies exist. The World Health Organization defines health inequity as differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups. Health inequities are influenced by the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. This article explains select key factors influencing health information inequity and addresses opportunities where Medical Information departments can make a difference to improve global public health.

Keywords:

• Global health
• medical information
• information access
• health information equity
• health literacy

Transparency

Declaration of funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

All authors were employees of Pfizer Inc. at the time of authorship. The Authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. A reviewer on this manuscript disclosed that they are an employee of Merck. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Author contributions

Conceptualization, D.A. Project Administration P.M. All authors were responsible for the writing, review, and editing of this manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Acknowledgements

None.