Arthritis Research Canada’s Scientists Seek to Improve Equity, Diversity, Inclusion in Rheumatology Research

Vancouver (September 4, 2025) – Arthritis Research Canada has secured over $200,000 in funding to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in arthritis research and ensure results accurately reflect the experiences of all patients.

Over 6 million people in Canada live with arthritis. Since there is no cure, research is crucial for understanding how arthritis affects overall health and daily life and to identify treatments and supports.

“Past studies have shown that certain groups, especially those who are diverse or disadvantaged, are often left out of arthritis research,” said Dr. Mary De Vera, who is leading this research and is a senior scientist and the associate director of training at Arthritis Research Canada. “Yet, individuals in diverse communities experience higher rates of arthritis and poorer health outcomes.”

• Indigenous populations experience higher prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
• Sex and gender diverse communities experience a higher burden of arthritis; lesbian women are 1.5 times more likely to have arthritis than heterosexual women, and bisexual adults are 1.4 times more likely to have arthritis than heterosexual adults.
• Indigenous patients face more severe rheumatoid arthritis outcomes, including lower health-related quality of life, greater difficulty performing daily activities, and higher work disability.
• Indigenous, immigrant and refugee, and sex and gender diverse communities experience diagnostic delays and suboptimal access to medications and surgery.
• Black arthritis patients living in Canada experience discrimination and challenges to accessing arthritis care.

This research will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will involve interviews with arthritis patients to collect feedback on factors related to health equity that have not been historically collected in research. These include place of residence, race, ethnicity, language, occupation, gender, sex, religion, education, socioeconomic status and social capital.

The second phase will take what was learned from arthritis researchers and patients to develop best practices for equity, diversity and inclusion in rheumatology research.

“We hope this research leads to practical and feasible strategies for researchers so that our end results benefit people from all backgrounds living with arthritis,” De Vera said.

The research team is comprised of scientists and trainees from sex and gender diverse communities and different cultural backgrounds and patient partners from underrepresented communities.

To learn more about Arthritis Research Canada’s preliminary research – which identified a lack of equity, diversity and inclusion in arthritis research – click here.

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Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement. Arthritis Research Canada’s scientific director, Dr. Diane Lacaille, leads a team of over 100 researchers, trainees and staff whose life-changing research is creating a future where people with arthritis have the knowledge and tools to triumph over pain and disability. Arthritis Research Canada is now conducting arthritis research from coast to coast with centres in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and scientists affiliated with ten major Canadian universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Western University, Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke and Dalhousie University. Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding new and better treatments, and improving quality of life.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Heather Caulder
Senior Officer, Marketing and Communications
Arthritis Research Canada
604.207.4010
hcaulder@arthritisresearch.ca