Q&A: New neuroscience society’s mission is to ‘leave no brain behind’

Key takeaways:

• SEQUINS aims to address inequities in neurological disorders.
• Without proper intervention, existing disparities in the field are likely to worsen over time, an expert said.

A multidisciplinary group of scientists recently launched the Society for Equity Neuroscience to address racial and ethnic disparities in nervous system health through research.

Healio spoke with Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, FACP, FRCP, FAHA, FAAAS, president of the nascent organization, also known as SEQUINS, to find out more about its founding, philosophy and mission.

Healio: Why focus on underrepresented groups and underserved populations?

Ovbiagele: Neurological disorders have now overtaken cardiovascular diseases to be the world’s leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Underserved populations tend to be disproportionately burdened by brain health inequities and neurological disease outcome disparities.

These existing inequities and disparities are projected to worsen over time, whether you compare underserved to well-served populations within high-income countries OR the situation in low- and middle-income countries to high-income countries.

We are also not entirely sure about the precise causes for some of the differences we see. We know that part of the gap is explained by social drivers and other structural barriers, but these factors don’t appear to explain all the differences, especially when it comes to some of the racial (those of African ancestry and Indigenous groups) and ethnic disparities.

There is a sense of urgency, but also a sense that science could help us better understand why these differences exist and produce evidence-based solutions to address them successfully and sustainably.

Equity Neuroscience is defined as the study of how the brain is mechanistically affected by health inequities, as well as the distinctive barriers and facilitators to optimal functioning of the nervous system for everyone, every time and everywhere.

There is also some overlap between the communities and groups that are underrepresented and the populations that are underserved. Groups that are disproportionately affected by poor neurological outcomes are underrepresented in our scientific workforces.

Seeking to develop a scientific workforce that is more representative of the populations disproportionately affected by neurological diseases could foster a professional community fully motivated to pursue careers dedicated to overcoming these differences, willing to mentor future generations of scientists in this field, and able to convince more people in these communities to participate in pivotal clinical trials and studies aimed at unearthing causes and finding solutions.

Healio: How did you arrive at the five “I” words (integrity, innovation, inclusion, inspiration and impact) represented in the organization’s core values?

Ovbiagele: As the first global science organization, we are aware of with health equity science as its primary mission, we wanted values that would best represent a community whose messages, methods and members should and could be trusted (integrity); conceptions, courses and contributions represent and reflect novel advances (innovation); campaigns, culture and communications convey a sense of belonging to everyone, especially marginalized groups (inclusion); policies, practices and people stimulate others to create or seek to create (inspiration); desires, developments and deliverables that make a discernible and relevant difference to situations and societies (impact).

Having these words all start with “I” made them easier to relay and remember.

Healio: What tools at your disposal do you intend to utilize to implement your goals?

Ovbiagele: To the best of our abilities, we intend to focus on committed and experienced leadership, engaged and empowered membership, multi- and interdisciplinary global professional networks, along with partnerships with mission-aligned organizations and institutions.

We will hold an annual scientific meeting, publish a dedicated scientific journal, hold regular scientific webinars and engage in formal and public recognitions of equity neuroscience research progress and excellence.

SEQUINS will have a Hall of Fame, which will annually recognize distinguished scientists who have contributed and are contributing to moving the field forward through novel research methods, discoveries and inventions.

In addition, the organization will implement the following:

• mentoring and training programs for all career stages;
• tailored initiatives for early-career individuals and groups;
• outstanding mentorship acknowledgments;
• pilot research grants and travel awards for early career individuals;
• community outreach activities;
• issuance of scientific and policy statements; and
• establishing and leveraging coordinated research networks in underserved areas.

Healio: What is the philosophy behind the order of the organization’s goals, beginning with supporting equity and promoting research?

Ovbiagele: Supporting the community, establishing partnerships are crucial because of the importance and scope of the issue and so they were prioritized under an “it takes a village” philosophy.

The equity neuroscience community comprises of neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, internists, pediatricians, geriatricians, basic/translational neuroscientists, epidemiologists, population health scientists, health services researchers, health equity researchers, global health researchers and health policy researchers.

Addressing key questions was designed to ensure that we keep our focus on our north star philosophy, which is “to leave no brain behind.”

Providing programs that enhance and inspire aligns with principles of value, accountability and sustainability. Ensuring diversity recognizes the advantages of diversity for innovation, while application and public engagement reinforce the notion of science as a public good and the need for contributions to the “real-world.”

Healio: What benefits do you predict if the neurological burden gap is closed within the next generation?

Ovbiagele: Greater happiness, longevity, productivity, prosperity and innovation for individuals and societies.

For more information:

Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, FACP, FRCP, FAHA, FAAAS, serves as chief of staff at San Francisco Veterans Administration. He is also a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. He can be found on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-for-equity-neuroscience/.