Walmart has launched the Walmart Healthcare Research Institute (WHRI), a project the mammoth retailer said is designed to increase community access to healthcare research.
“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,” Walmart said in a news release Tuesday (Oct. 11).
The company argued clinical trials have long been unrepresentative of the population at large and often use participants who live near research centers and have the time and financial ability to take part. Walmart pointed to Food and Drug Administration data that shows 75% of trial participants in 2020 were white, 11% were Hispanic, 8% were Black and 6% were Asian.
“Walmart is focused on studies that can have a health equity impact in the communities it serves and represent all populations,” the release said. “With 90% 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.”
Read more: Walmart Closes 10-Year Deal With UnitedHealth for Health Services
As PYMNTS has reported, Walmart has been venturing deeper and deeper into the healthcare space as part of its rivalry with Amazon. Last month, the company and UnitedHealth signed a 10-year deal to use their complementary resources and expertise to provide affordable health services.
The program is set to kick off next year with 15 Walmart Health locations in Florida and Georgia. Optum, a UnitedHealth Group business, will facilitate the process and help Walmart Health clinicians in using analytics and decision support tools.
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And in June, Walmart joined forces with patient journey automation firm GYANT in an effort to meet the demand for patients seeking virtual care.
GYANT co-founder and CEO Stefan Behrens noted at the time that “Walmart Health Virtual Care is well-positioned in telehealth care,” adding that “the pandemic has shown us that more and more patients are seeking convenience in their healthcare. We share a common goal — to meet patients where they are, and we are keen to kick off with like-minded innovators.”