Beyond DEI: Why inclusive medical communication still matters

If you’re wondering how to navigate communication amid scaled-back DEI programs and shifting multilingual policies, you’re not alone. Many organizations have faced, or are still facing, the challenge of adapting to change without losing sight of compliance, patient engagement, and health equity. In this article, I break down what’s shifting – and, more importantly, what isn’t – and share practical ways to keep your communication clear, compliant, and genuinely patient-centered whatever terminology is in play.

While many organizations are moving away from the explicit use of terms like “diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI),” the goals behind them – health equity, patient-centered communication, and regulatory compliance – remain firmly in place. For your medical communication strategy, this translates into practical, ongoing needs:

Regulatory requirements remain unchanged

Authorities like the FDA and EMA continue to expect diversity in clinical trials and accessible patient materials. Your informed consent forms (ICFs), recruitment content, and patient-facing documents must be clear, health-literacy-friendly, and available in the relevant languages.

Health literacy isn’t optional

Patients, families, and healthcare providers need materials they can actually understand, especially when dealing with complex or life-altering information.

Multilingual content is still essential

Whether you are adjusting internal DEI efforts or responding to changing U.S. language policies, translation and cultural adaptation remain essential for effectively reaching diverse populations.

In short, you may reframe the language, but the external expectations – and your audiences’ needs – are still there.

Why this shift matters to your content – not just your values

This isn’t just a case of swapping out words in a strategy deck, it directly affects how you manage risk, comply with regulations, and engage patients.

The conversation has shifted, but compliance remains

Many organizations are simply repositioning their messaging:

“Diversity & Inclusion” → “Patient-Centered Communication”
“Equity in Healthcare” → “Health Literacy & Accessibility”
“DEI Initiatives” → “Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management”

The implication? Inclusive communication is no longer just a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative – it’s a compliance, risk management, and patient engagement necessity. Regulators, ethics committees, and payers will still scrutinize how you address health disparities, regardless of whether you call it DEI.

Clinical trial diversity & language access are still under the microscope

Clinical trial sponsors and CROs continue to face strict expectations when it comes to diversity and language access:

ICFs, assent forms, and recruitment materials must use plain language and be properly translated.
Materials must engage diverse populations – including non-English speakers – even if the law now gives you more discretion.
Ethics committees and regulatory bodies expect proof that patient materials are understandable, culturally sensitive, and appropriate.

Skipping or diluting these elements exposes you to regulatory risk, delays, or outright rejection of trials.

Accessibility = better outcomes + compliance

Regardless of how the political winds blow:

Plain language isn’t going away, it continues to be mandatory for patient-facing materials.
Language access protections still apply under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the ACA.
Accessibility for people with disabilities, in both print and digital formats, remains a requirement and a key component of patient engagement.

Focusing on accessibility is not just a best practice, it’s a crucial part of operational success. Ignoring these elements not only risks compliance violations but also undermines patient trust and engagement.

U.S. vs. European approach – why you need to navigate both

For companies operating internationally, it’s vital to understand that U.S. and European approaches to language and inclusivity are diverging, not converging.

In the U.S.:

The recent executive order makes English the official federal language, but agencies retain discretion for multilingual services.
DEI terminology may be toned down, but Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other bodies continue to demand health equity, trial diversity, and accessibility.
“Patient-centered communication” is the new watchword, but the regulatory expectations are much the same.

In Europe:

Multilingual communication remains a regulatory requirement for patient-facing, trial, and regulatory materials.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other regulatory bodies actively require multilingual content and recognize language access as a fundamental right.
DEI continues to be part of both regulatory frameworks and corporate commitments.
Translation and localization are seen as pillars of ethical and effective communication, not just regulatory box-ticking.

Global content strategies must be flexible – you cannot simply “copy-paste” your U.S. approach into European markets (or vice versa). If you work in both regions, your content needs to be tailored to meet local expectations while maintaining consistency and clarity.

What should you do next?

Start by framing inclusive communication as compliance & engagement. You don’t have to call it DEI, but you do have to meet regulatory, ethical, and communication standards to avoid risks and serve your audiences well.

Make sure you stay alert and proactive even if DEI is no longer in your corporate headlines. Regulators still expect health equity, linguistic diversity, and accessibility, and sometimes without explicitly saying so.

Be regionally responsive and avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Make sure your medical writers and translators are tuned into both U.S. and EU regulatory contexts and patient needs.

DEI policies may be evolving (some might say regressing), but patient-centered, accessible, and regulatory-compliant communication is non-negotiable. Whether you’re preparing clinical trial materials or developing patient education content, this is not the moment to reduce your investment in inclusive, patient-friendly communication: it’s the moment to adapt it to the new landscape.

Your patients, regulators, and trial participants still expect clear and plain language content and culturally appropriate and translated materials that are accessible for all audiences and aligned with U.S., EU, and global regulatory frameworks

High-quality medical writing and translation services will help you meet these expectations – no matter how the headlines change.

Ana Sofia is an English to Portuguese medical translator and writer working with Life Sciences companies, Contract Research Organizations, and Medical Communication agencies. She has experience translating and writing content for clinical trials, medical devices, regulatory submissions, education and marketing campaigns, and scientific publications.