SANOFI'S CLOSING HEALTHCARE'S TRUST GAP REPORT LAUNCH
ASÉ was honoured to attend the launch of Sanofi's Closing Healthcare's Trust Gap Report' at the prestigious Smith Centre, South Kensington on Wednesday evening, 5th March 2025. A huge thank you to Cllr Frances Umeh for the invitation. This landmark event brought together changemakers, lived-experience advocates, and industry leaders, all committed to addressing the deep-rooted disparities in healthcare trust among under represented communities.
SANOFI: A Global Commitment to Change
In 2022, Sanofi initiated a bold global inquiry into the state of healthcare trust among marginalized groups - including women, ethnic minorities, disabled individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities. Their research, conducted across Brazil, France, Japan, the UK, and the US, uncovered alarming trends: these groups frequently reported negative healthcare experiences, leading to declining trust in medical institutions.
Fast forward to 2025, and this research has expanded to include Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Spain, forming the foundation for A Million Conversations - Sanofi’s global movement aimed at amplifying marginalized voices, fostering dialogue, and co-developing solutions for a more inclusive healthcare system.
A Ground-breaking Report: Closing Healthcare's Trust Gap
Sanofi’s latest report is a game-changer, reflecting the lived experiences of over 35,000 individuals across ten countries. We're told it's the largest study ever conducted on healthcare trust disparities - the findings are compelling. For those dedicated to health equity, this report is a must read, offering invaluable insights and a roadmap for transformative change.
An Evening of Powerful Stories and Insights
The evening opened with a heart-warming welcome from Rippon Ubhi, Sanofi UK & Ireland Country Lead. With Lewis Iwu, Founding Partner at Purpose Union, a dynamic host, the panel discussions were nothing short of riveting.
Keynote speaker Dr Annabel Sowemimo, delivered a deeply moving and thought-provoking address, weaving together personal healthcare experiences. Even as a trained medical professional, she shared distressing encounters highlighting that trust issues are not just statistics; they are deeply personal, lived experiences.
A deeply moving account came from Professor Marisol Miraldo, a leading expert in health economics. Despite her professional standing, she was made to feel like she was taking up hospital resources that could be used for a "more deserving" patient. This led her to discharge herself prematurely - even though the previous doctor had identified that her symptoms could pose a serious risk to her and her unborn child. If medical experts like Marisol and Annabel face such treatment, what does this mean for those without medical knowledge or advocacy skills?
These testimonies were painful yet necessary. They reinforced the grave consequences of eroded healthcare trust:Â people delaying or avoiding necessary medical care, leading to worse health outcomes.
An Influential Panel Discussion
The evening's distinguished panel featured key figures shaping the future of healthcare equity:
Dr Annabel Sowemimo - Founder of Reproductive Justice Initiative, Harold Moody Scholar at King's College London and author of Divided, shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing.
Professor Marisa Miraldo - Professor of Health Economics at Imperial Business School, leading research on disease prevention and women’s health.
Raj Verma - Sanofi Chief Culture, Diversity and Employee Experience Officer, with extensive leadership in global diversity initiatives.
Ridhi Patel - Sanofi Transformation Associate and beneficiary of the A Million Conversations NexGen Scholarship, committed to representative leadership in healthcare.
Rippon Ubhi - Sanofi UK & Ireland Country Lead and General Manager, Speciality Care, with two decades of experience improving healthcare access.
This dynamic panel not only provided insights into systemic inequities at play, but importantly engaged in discussions about solutions.
Building Trust & Tackling Inequalities: H&F's Role
A pivotal moment of the evening came when Cllr Frances Umeh introduced Hammersmith & Fulham’s Building Trust - Tackling Inequalities Initiative, aligning its findings with Sanofi’s latest data. Her insightful question about the next steps ignited a passionate discussion about co-designing solutions, fostering collaborations, and expanding Sanofi’s growing global coalition.
The event wasn’t just about discussions - it was about action. Attendees included grassroots organisations, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders, all committed to rebuilding trust in the healthcare system.
ASÉ also had the pleasure of connecting with:
Ashley Strougo, at Sanofi with Scientific expertise in paediatric drug development, a strong advocate for health equity and addressing disparities affecting under-represented populations. Â
Patrick Steen, Director for Purpose Union a specialist social purpose agency, leading on the launch of this global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion campaign.
Mabel Forward, PhD student in Design Engineering at Imperial College London, with a Master's in Anthropology, working at the intersection of healthcare and technology.
These interactions reinforced a shared commitment to driving meaningful change.
Moving Forward: ASÉ’s Commitment to Change
The insights gained from this event reaffirm what ASÉ and trailblazers in H&F have long understood: healthcare trust is deeply tied to broader systemic issues such as housing, financial insecurity and social inequalities. The more intersections a person experiences, the greater their risk of negative health outcomes.
That is why ASÉ remains committed to continuing this journey, working alongside dedicated, likeminded people in NHS, Sanofi and key stakeholders to: Co-design solutions that prioritise lived experiences, advocate for systemic policy changes and ensure that marginalized voices are heard, respected and acted upon.
Get Involved & Stay Connected
We encourage everyone to read the Closing Healthcare's Trust Gap Report and take action in their communities. Together, we can build a more equitable, inclusive and trustworthy healthcare system.
REMEMBER… Healthcare trust should not be a privilege -  It should be a right.
Stay tuned for more updates from ASÉ as we continue this journey.