[Image courtesy of Pixabay]
The lack of appropriate representation in clinical trials, particularly in terms of ethnicity and race, has been a long-standing issue that directly impacts health equity and treatment efficacy. In a 2020 analysis of the global participation in clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighted the vast difference between enrolled participants and the global population. Of the more than 297,000 participants in clinical trials globally, 76% were white, 11% were Asian, and only 7% were Black. By comparison, 60% of the global population hails from Asia, 16% from Africa, 10% from Europe, 8% from Latin America, and just over 4% from the United States.1The FDA has focused on addressing this issue, drafting new guidance in April 2022 aimed at increasing clinical trial enrollment from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations. This draft guidance, “Diversity Plans to Im…