Biomedical engineering (BME) integrates engineering principles such as physics and mathematics with biology and medical science to design creative healthcare solutions. It is integral in addressing health inequity and disparities or systematic variations in health status among different populations.
Diversifying biomedical research can address societal systemic biases that disadvantage minority and marginalized groups, causing healthcare disparities. When these biases infiltrate academia, researchers from underserved or historically excluded groups face marginalization, limiting their opportunities for advancement and the representation of minority groups in clinical trials and research.
Biomedical engineers can address systemic biases in healthcare technology by creating systems to monitor and assess equity and establish a baseline for recognizing and addressing health inequities across different groups. By partnering with diverse experts, especially from marginalized backgrounds, biomedical engineers can design inclusive and accessible technologies addressing the needs of all. This collaboration is vital, as researchers’ identities and experiences may greatly influence the research.
Inclusive education is essential for training future biomedical engineers. It helps students become aware of health inequities and exposes them to health disparities. Service learning allows students to connect with affected communities and understand their needs. The curriculum may cover subjects that address cultural differences, public health, and women’s health. Integrating these topics encourages students to consider inclusive practices when developing engineering innovations to benefit all.
Training biomedical staff in resource-limited settings is essential for providing quality, equitable care. In low-income countries, hospitals often lack technicians to repair and maintain medical equipment, leading to equipment downtime and compromised patient care. Providing hands-on staff training to familiarize biomedical technicians and staff with specific equipment can help alleviate this issue.
The Reparation Pou Amelyore Ekipman Medikal (REPARE) Program in Haiti, supported by organizations such as USAID, exemplifies a successful training program. REPARE trains Haitians to become biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs) who can maintain and repair equipment. This program also provides participants with job security and economic stability.
Prioritizing and funding research for diseases that impact poor and underserved communities is crucial for achieving health equity. Diseases such as dengue and trachoma, which disproportionately affect these demographics, often receive insufficient attention, resulting in limited understanding and delayed medical advances. Less common diseases are also not sufficiently researched due to inadequate funding, making it difficult for individuals with these conditions to access appropriate health care. The biomedical engineering field can modify the grant review and funding process to address this challenge.
Biomedical engineers can engage the community to improve medical device and therapy design. This involvement enhances patient compliance, tailors technologies to individual needs and lifestyles, and addresses distrust or misinformation. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a systematic approach that fosters stronger relationships and collaboration between researchers and the community. It promotes meaningful conversations and mutual learning, driving social and healthcare changes.
When designing medical technologies, prioritizing healthcare affordability and accessibility is crucial. For instance, adopting frugal design approaches that emphasize simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and specific healthcare needs of various communities is integral to this approach. Engaging students in the design process is also valuable for developing affordable healthcare solutions. Examples of such solutions include microfluidic platforms, which are low-cost and portable diagnostic devices that use paper as a substrate, as well as point-of-care sensors for accurate diagnoses and personalized care.
Moreover, considering the impact of therapy costs and medical device affordability on healthcare access across socioeconomic demographics is important, particularly in areas with travel restrictions and limited service availability, without universal health coverage, and with technological requirements such as cold storage for drugs. Consequently, biomedical engineers can ensure equitable healthcare access by carefully considering the cost, supply chain, and regional access to technologies.
