The society for equity neuroscience (SEQUINS): Seeking to eliminate global brain health inequities and disparities through research

TL;DR

SEQUINS is a new society aiming to reduce global brain health disparities by promoting equitable research and care for marginalized populations.

Contribution

Introduces equity neuroscience as a new field and establishes SEQUINS to address brain health inequities globally.

Findings

Neurological disorders disproportionately affect marginalized groups due to social and systemic inequities.

SEQUINS aims to unify researchers to improve equitable nervous system care and outcomes worldwide.

The society supports research that addresses disparities in neurological health at multiple interacting levels.

Abstract

Over 3 billion people are affected by a neurological condition, which is now the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide. However, burden of neurological disease is unevenly distributed, with certain groups and regions being more affected than others. Neurological disorders disproportionately affect certain racial and ethnic communities (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and people of color), those in lower socioeconomic groups, individuals living in underserved geographies including rural areas and low-income countries, and other marginalized populations. These populations tend to have poorer neurological outcomes because they are adversely impacted by the social drivers of brain health including lack of access to care, minimal participation in pivotal neurological trials, and underrepresentation in neuroscience research careers. Equity neuroscience is a multidisciplinary academic field devoted to understanding inequities in the manifestations of nervous system health, from particles to people, at multiple interacting levels, with a bidirectional local to global scope. The Society for Equity Neuroscience (SEQUINS) founded in 2024 aims to enhance brain health around the world by improving equitable nervous system care and outcomes through research. SEQUIINS seeks to be the central and unifying global organization for equity neuroscientists; supporting, teaching, promoting, and applying high quality research to achieve equitable nervous system care and health. This paper highlights the rationale for establishing a dedicated community of equity neuroscientists and presents the mission, vision, and emerging academic activities of SEQUINS.