Advil launches Pain Equity Project

Advil has launched a multi-year commitment to address pain inequity and racial bias in the diagnosis and treatment of pain.

The Advil Pain Equity Project’s initial campaign, ‘Believe My Pain,’ tells the powerful stories of people who have experienced pain inequity.

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In partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine, Advil commissioned a national quantitative study revealing the prevalence and impact of pain inequity among Black communities. The recent study surveyed 2,000 Americans about their experiences when seeking pain care and treatment:

• 93% of Black individuals said pain has an impact on their day-to-day life;
• 83% said they have had a negative experience when seeking help managing pain; and
• 3 out of 4 Black individuals believe there is bias in how pain is diagnosed and treated.

Advil is awarding the first-ever grants through The Advil Pain Equity Fund to Morehouse School of Medicine and BLKHLTH to support the development of patient resources and medical school course development.

Advil, Morehouse School of Medicine and BLKHLTH will begin to develop a course to educate medical students on pain equity and offer tools and skills to help address the issue both in and outside of medical facilities.

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Involved in the campaign are:

• Award-winning journalist and advocate Elaine Welteroth;
• Dr. Uché Blackstock, a physician, thought leader, and sought-after speaker on bias and racism in medicine and health care; and
• Patients who have experienced pain inequity themselves (their stories can be found on BelieveMyPain.com).

Elements of Advil’s communications strategy include:

• Creation of a digital roundtable hosted by Elaine Welteroth, featuring patient stories and perspectives from Dr. Blackstock. The roundtable is featured on Advil’s social channels and the BelieveMyPain.com microsite.
• Development of the BelieveMyPain.com microsite dedicated to the campaign – which houses information about the campaign, the roundtable, patient stories and resources and tools for patients and healthcare providers regarding pain equity.
• Earned media efforts with participation from patients, Elaine Welteroth and Dr. Blackstock.
• Advil and its partners, Morehouse School of Medicine, BLKHLTH, Elaine Welteroth, Dr. Blackstock will talk about the campaign on their social channels.