Diversity in Clinical Trials

The impact of the lack of diversity in clinical trials is vast, as it can affect multiple communities in many ways. A lack of representation can weaken the generalizability of clinical research discoveries, as different groups may respond differently to certain medications. It can also lead to a lack of access to effective medical interventions since there isn't enough research on specific demographics. Both of these reasons can lead to more people who have a lack of representation having more deaths. An example of a population that lacks research is the African American demographic. In 2021, the USPSTF “was not able to make a separate, specific recommendation on colorectal cancer screening in Black adults” (Tysinger) due to not having enough research to get the proper recommendation that Black adults need, even though they are the ethnic group that has the highest rates of death from colorectal cancer.

Researchers can recruit more diverse participants by establishing trust with eligible participants, conducting a community assessment, building connections that can attract diverse participants, and laying a foundation for community involvement and support. To establish trust with eligible participants, it is best to hire a research team from diverse backgrounds and conduct your own research to ensure you respect and are sensitive to participants' personal beliefs.

Citations:
Diaz, Vanessa. “Encouraging Participation of Minorities in Research Studies.” Annals of Family Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3392301/#:~:text=Work%20to%20Establish%20Trust%20With%20Eligible%20Participants&text=Interacting%20with%20individuals%20of%20a,diverse%20racial%20and%20ethnic%20backgrounds.
Sciences, National Academies of, et al. “Why Diverse Representation in Clinical Research Matters and the Current State of Representation within the Clinical Research Ecosystem.” Improving Representation in Clinical Trials and Research: Building Research Equity for Women and Underrepresented Groups. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584396/#:~:text=Lack%20of%20representation%20may%20lead,to%20a%20specific%20therapeutic%20agent.
“Chatgpt.” Simplify , chat.openai.com/. Accessed 13 May 2024.