In 2026, the article “Understanding Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in a Distributed Data Network: An Environmental Scan Within the Health Data Research Network Canada” was published. Amédé Gogovor, a researcher involved with Unité de soutien SSA Québec on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) and Sex and Gender Plus, is a co-author.
Amy Freier1,2,∗ , Laura Bowler1,2, Hannah Owczar1, Amédé Gogovor3,4, Mamata Pandy5, John Riley6, Morgan Stirling1,2, Jessica Duris7, Kimberlyn McGrail2,8, and Nathan C. Nickel1,2
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, College of Community and Global Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
- Health Data Research Network Canada
- Département de médecine de famille et de médecine d’urgence, Université Laval, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
- VITAM – Centre de recherche en santé durable, Québec, G1G 2G1
- Saskatchewan Health Authority, Research, Room 414, St Andrews College, 1121 College Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W3
- Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU): Toronto, Ontario, CA
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- School of Medicine, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada
Freier A, Bowler L, Owczar H, Gogovor A, Pandy M, Riley J, et al. Understanding inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in a distributed data network: environmental scan within health data research network Canada. Int J Popul Data Sci. 2026;6(1):2964.
Context
Systemic biases can affect both organizational practices (policies, recruitment, workplace culture) and research practices involving health data. The objective was to identify existing initiatives, available resources, as well as gaps and opportunities to strengthen the integration of the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) within member organizations of Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN Canada).
Method
A survey was conducted among 19 member organizations of HDRN Canada between December 2022 and February 2023. The questionnaire was developed based on theoretical frameworks addressing organizational IDEA and data equity. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis and were subsequently validated by the network’s IDEA Working Group.
Results
Of the 19 organizations invited to participate, 18 completed the survey. The findings revealed substantial variation in the implementation of IDEA, with significant differences in policies, resources, training, and data-related practices. IDEA initiatives often relied on volunteer efforts, and few organizations had formal mechanisms to integrate IDEA into governance and research processes.
Conclusion
Although IDEA is broadly supported across the network, its implementation remains inconsistent. The study highlights the need to strengthen coordination, resources, and equity-focused practices to support a more consistent implementation of IDEA across the Network.