Nov. 2, 2022
Walmart has launched the Walmart Healthcare Research Institute (WHRI), according to an announcement posted Oct. 11 to the company’s website. The goal, it says, is to “increase community access to healthcare research that may help lead to safer, higher quality and more equitable healthcare.”
The company says that WHRI will be focused on innovative interventions and medications that can make a difference in underrepresented communities including older adults, rural residents, women and minority populations. WHRI initially is focused on inclusion in studies on treatments for chronic conditions and innovative treatments that should include members from these communities.
“At Walmart, we want to help ensure all our customers have access to high quality, affordable and convenient healthcare resources, including innovative research,” said John Wigneswaran, MD, Walmart’s Chief Medical Officer. “We know our customers are interested in participating in healthcare research, but many have not had access until now. We are already making an impact for our customers, and for medical research, by raising patient trust and engagement in their care.”
For decades, clinical trials have not been representative of the population at large and often recruit participants who live near research centers, have the time and have the financial ability to participate.1 According to Food and Drug Administration data, in 2020, 75 percent of trial participants were white, 11 percent were Hispanic, 8 percent were Black and 6 percent were Asian.2 “Walmart is focused on studies that can have a health equity impact in the communities it serves and represent all populations. With 90 percent of Americans living within 10 miles of a Walmart, the retailer can offer solutions to care by meeting customers and patients where they live and work,” the company said in the announcement.
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Walmart is working with a wide range of study partners, including clinical research organizations, pharmaceutical companies and leading academic medical centers, including CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services and Laina Enterprises. Walmart says WHRI is already demonstrating strong results, with a referral rate three times the industry benchmark.
“The efforts by Walmart in research are innovative and impactful – it is clear that the intention behind their foray into this space is to genuinely make a difference for patients of all ages, race and gender in their ability to access research,” said Bill Hawkins, Chairman of the Board, Duke University Health. “This initiative will support individual patient health as well as the health of numerous communities home to Walmart stores.”
To help make it easier for research patients to simplify their care, Walmart launched MyHealthJourney, a digital tool that lets patients take control of their own data through easy access to their eligible medical records and insurance information online in one place. With MyHealthJourney, patients receive reminders for care services and research opportunities to help them keep their health on track.
“Walmart’s research initiative aligns with North Carolina A&T’s strategic plans to further expand its local, regional and national community engagement activities in order to reduce social, economic and health disparities within African American populations,” said Raymond Samuel, Ph.D., Professor, North Carolina A&T State University; Center of Outreach in Alzheimer’s Aging and Community Health; Past Project Director, Hampton University-based Minority Men’s Health Initiative (MMHI). “Walmart’s interest in ensuring that DEIA is at the core of its effort to increase customer access to clinical trials and is in synergy with the historical commitment of NC A&T to enhancing the well-being of its communities.”
1 – Chaudhari N, Ravi R, Gogtay NJ, Thatte UM. Recruitment and retention of the participants in clinical trials: Challenges and solutions. Perspect Clin Res. 2020;11(2):64-69. doi:10.4103/picr.PICR_206_19
2 – U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2020 Drug Trials Snapshot Summary Report. February, 2021. 2020 Drug Trials Snapshots Summary Report (fda.gov). Accessed October 9, 2022.
