A review into potential ethnic bias in the design and use of medical devices will be led by Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead, professor of public health at the University of Liverpool.

The way medical devices and technologies are designed and used has raised concerns about the impact of ethnic background on a patient’s diagnosis and treatment, exacerbating existing inequalities in healthcare.

The review will form part of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ (OHID) agenda to tackle inequalities in health and care, which will include the publication of the health disparities white paper in spring.

“There are growing concerns about the potential for racial bias in the design and use of some medical devices commonly used in the NHS,” said Whitehead, “and that the treatment of patients from some ethnic groups may be less effective as a result. It is important that this review establishes the extent and impact of such potential racial bias and what can be done to remedy it.”

Whitehead brings has led the work of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on the Determinants of Health Equity for many years and brings with her extensive experience in tackling inequalities in health.

The results of the review will be published within the next 18 months

“The pandemic has shown the resilience of the British public and brought communities together to look after each other in the most challenging times,” said health and social care secretary Sajid Javid, “but it has also exposed chasms in our society – particularly in health.

“Where someone is born, their background, their gender, or the colour of their skin should not impact their health outcomes.

Javid added that he looks forward to the outcome of the review “so we can continue to level up across society and make sure everyone – no matter where they live or come from – can live a long, healthy life”.

The far-reaching independent review into potential ethnic bias in the design and use of medical devices in the UK will identify systematic inequalities in registered medical devices, make recommendations on how these inequalities should be tackled, consider what systems need to be in place to ensure emerging technologies are developed without ethnic inequalities and improve global standards to better healthcare and tackle disparities

“The NHS is an expert in providing the best possible care with the devices currently available,” added Javid, “and this review will improve the quality and availability of devices to diverse communities.”

Public health minister, Maggie Throup, said that tackling issues such as ethnic inequalities is a priority for OHID and a key part of the government’s levelling up agenda.

“The pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities that exist across the country. As part of breaking the link between people’s background and their prospect for a healthy life, the health disparities white paper will look at the factors affecting people’s health across the country, including risk factors, service access and experience and the biggest preventable killers such as cancer and heart disease, as well as the wider causes of ill health.”