OBJECTIVES: Health disparities are recognized as significant factors contributing to suboptimal health outcomes. To be relevant in shifting decision-making contexts, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) must consider health disparities and/or account for inequity. We recently completed a 2-year Health Equity Initiative, dedicated to advancing actions that enhance how HTA incorporates health equity, including communication strategies and defining the roles of diverse stakeholders in achieving equity-centered HTA.

METHODS: Over 40 stakeholders were engaged through qualitative methods including key informant interviews, expert roundtables, and a Methods Summit. These engagements aimed to identify actionable changes for accountability in advancing health equity in HTA. A comprehensive HTA equity framework was developed, addressing four key domains: Power, People, and Processes; Data and Inputs; Methods; and Communications and Use. This research explored the Communications and Use domain to discuss opportunities and imperatives for accessing and using equity-centered HTA in healthcare decision making.

RESULTS: Traditional HTA communication has often been inaccessible to patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders. To advance equity in HTA, four foundational changes have been identified to ensure effective communication of equity-centered HTA: 1) transparent communication: ensure clear, open communication throughout HTA, sharing information accessibly and fostering dialogue with patients and caregivers; 2) understandable information: use plain language to make HTA findings easily comprehensible for patients and decision-makers, avoiding technical jargon; 3) addressing diverse health impacts: clearly outline the effects of healthcare interventions on different patient groups, acknowledging uncertainties and diverse needs; 4) inclusive decision-making: integrate HTA into a holistic process, involving patients and caregivers as full partners and considering their perspectives in healthcare decisions.

CONCLUSIONS: A systematic, multi-domain approach to incorporating equity considerations into HTA is needed to ensure equitable and patient-centered decision-making. Changes in HTA communication and use processes are required by all stakeholders to ensure alignment with the goals of healthcare decision-makers.