The Use of Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research

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In 2023, the National Academies convened an expert committee to assess the current use of racial and ethnic categories in biomedical research, review existing guidance for researchers, and provide new guidance for future use. The resulting 2025 report, Rethinking Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research, outlines nine actionable recommendations and associated resources for advancing the responsible use of race and ethnicity.

The recommendations of Rethinking Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research address how to: decide whether to use race and ethnicity in different research contexts; characterize and disclose limitations of datasets that include racial and ethnic information; identify factors to investigate instead of or alongside race and ethnicity; include overlooked populations in analysis; and support sustained community engagement.

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270 pages · 7 x 10 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-72463-5
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-72464-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/27913

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Rethinking Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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Interactive Overview

This resource highlights key messages from the report. Short animations provide helpful context and an interactive tool outlines key considerations for researchers throughout the biomedical research process.

Community Engagement One-Pager

This document outlines the importance of community engagement as well as strategies to effectively and sustainably engage communities.

Clinical Algorithms and the Role of AI

This document outlines challenges of and strategies for improving the use of race and ethnicity in clinical algorithms and AI in biomedical research.

For Journals and Professional Societies

This document outlines specific recommendations for journals and professional societies to help editors and publishers of biomedical research cultivate intentionality, ensure accountability, and catalyze change for the better.

For Funders and Sponsors of Biomedical Research

This document outlines specific recommendations for funders and sponsors of biomedical research for taking a thoughtful approach to using race and ethnicity.

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The Use of Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research

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The Use of Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research

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Rethinking Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research

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