Data-driven diversity: Making clinical trials equitable for all

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Lack of diversity in clinical trials has long been an issue, driven by challenges with recruitment and participation. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have prioritized recruiting more diverse patient groups for their trials. And in some areas, it is working. In the past ten years, the representation of Black and African American patients in U.S.-based clinical trials has improved. Currently, data from Phesi show that 14.9% of clinical trial participants self-identify as being in this group. That proportion is slightly greater than the 13.4% of the U.S. population that identifies as Black and African American, according to the 2019 U.S. Census.

To develop truly effective therapies for all, clinical trials must be carried out in populations representative of those who will receive the new treatments. However, certain patient subpopulations are significantly and consistently u…

Read more
  • 0