Diversity and Health Equity
A Mission for All of Us
Overcoming health disparities is one of our most pressing challenges.
We can make faster progress — and deliver on our mission — with your support.
Invest in a More Equitable World
A person's race or ethnic background, gender or zip code shouldn’t determine whether they live or die from cancer, COVID-19 or any other disease. With your support of Fred Hutch, we can ensure all people get the prevention, treatment — and cures — they need.
Lifesaving research demands curiosity, creativity and varied perspectives. That’s why diversity is a core Fred Hutch value and integral to our work. We were the first U.S. cancer center to pledge commitment to CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, we cultivate a workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to eliminating health disparities.
For more than two decades, Fred Hutch researchers have been making inroads against inequities in treatment and outcomes for people with cancer and other diseases, including COVID-19. But more significant investments are needed if we are to achieve our mission: ending the suffering caused by cancer and other diseases — not just for some people, but for everyone.
Fred Hutch Initiatives to Increase Diversity and Health Equity
Clinical Trials and Genetic Studies
Prevention, Screening and Treatment
Educating Future Scientists
A Diverse and Innovative Workforce
Clinical Trials and Genetic Studies
Precision medicine is imprecise when it comes to racial and ethnic minorities. Because these communities are underrepresented in most clinical trials and genetic studies, we’re missing opportunities to identify risk factors and develop effective treatments. By boosting inclusion, we are speeding our mission to find cures for all cancers in all people.
Featured Researchers
Dr. Veena Shankaran
Oncologist and health economist Dr. Veena Shankaran is shedding light on the financial impacts of cancer and guiding new programs and policies to mitigate cancer's worst impacts on patient finances.
Dr. Jay Mendoza
Health disparities researcher Dr. Jay Mendoza is tackling longstanding, difficult health inequities to improve the health of underrepresented minorities, especially kids.
Dr. Vida Henderson
Dr. Vida Henderson employs community-engaged research to create health communication around screening aimed at improving gender and racial health inequities.
Dr. Chris Li
Dr. Chris Li is identifying risk factors for breast cancer, such as medications and alcohol, and is at the forefront of efforts to ensure cancer research benefits all patients.
“It’s incumbent on us to develop a strong, caring relationship with all the communities we work with, especially those experiencing disparities.”
— Dr. Paul Buckley, Fred Hutch vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer
Featured Research
A Community Approach
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement is reducing health disparities and addressing high rates of cancer and cancer mortality among underrpresented communities in Western Washington and the Yakima Valley.
Reducing the Burden
The Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research works to improve cancer prevention, detection and treatment in ways that will reduce the economic and human burden of cancer — and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients.
Closing the Gaps
Dozens of Fred Hutch researchers are untangling causes of health disparities and developing solutions. Dr. Rachel Issaka is focused on reducing colorectal cancer deaths, especially for African-Americans, who are 40 percent more likely to die from the disease than whites.
“For too long, society and science have treated human beings with disparate levels of respect. It must be our work to move beyond words to action.”
— Dr. Thomas J. Lynch Jr., Fred Hutch president and director and holder of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair