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Challenge <p>Health equity is rarely included in traditional biomedical engineering curricula, leaving students unprepared to design inclusive healthcare solutions.</p> Novel Initiative <p>To address this critical gap, we developed "Health Equity in Engineering Design," the first course at our institution for undergraduate biomedical engineering students. This course integrated engineering principles with an understanding of health disparities, equipping future engineers to address systemic inequities. Course objectives included understanding health equity, analyzing disparities across populations, and developing engineering solutions that advance equity. Problem-based learning methods, such as case studies and a team-based term project, allowed students to explore real-world applications. Assignments emphasized identifying sociocultural and biological determinants of health and applying engineering principles to address these factors. Guest lectures enriched the curriculum by offering practical insights from health equity experts.</p> Reflection <p>Student course feedback and survey results indicated high levels of student interest/value of health equity topics, systems thinking, and contextual competence after completion of the course. Future iterations will reduce class size, expand on key definitions and concepts, and increase scaffolding for problem-based learning activities. This pilot course underscores the transformative potential of embedding health equity into engineering education to inspire a new generation of socially conscious innovators.</p>

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Introducing Health Equity into Biomedical Engineering Education

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月8日

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  • Mykel D. Green,
  • Olivia L. Lanier,
  • Gabriella Coloyan Fleming,
  • Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez

摘要

Challenge

Health equity is rarely included in traditional biomedical engineering curricula, leaving students unprepared to design inclusive healthcare solutions.

Novel Initiative

To address this critical gap, we developed "Health Equity in Engineering Design," the first course at our institution for undergraduate biomedical engineering students. This course integrated engineering principles with an understanding of health disparities, equipping future engineers to address systemic inequities. Course objectives included understanding health equity, analyzing disparities across populations, and developing engineering solutions that advance equity. Problem-based learning methods, such as case studies and a team-based term project, allowed students to explore real-world applications. Assignments emphasized identifying sociocultural and biological determinants of health and applying engineering principles to address these factors. Guest lectures enriched the curriculum by offering practical insights from health equity experts.

Reflection

Student course feedback and survey results indicated high levels of student interest/value of health equity topics, systems thinking, and contextual competence after completion of the course. Future iterations will reduce class size, expand on key definitions and concepts, and increase scaffolding for problem-based learning activities. This pilot course underscores the transformative potential of embedding health equity into engineering education to inspire a new generation of socially conscious innovators.