Journal Abstract: Involving Minority and Underrepresented Women in Clinical Trials

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Involving Minority and Underrepresented Women in Clinical Trials: The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health ( PDF file, 121Kb)

Abstract. Recent attention to reducing health disparities among population groups has focused on the need to include in clinical studies, especially clinical trials, participants who represent the diversity of the populations to which study results will be applied. While scientists generally applaud the goal of broadening the characteristics of participants in clinical trials, they are faced with multiple challenges as they seek to include historically underrepresented populations in their research. This article examines the historical and sociocultural context of participation by underrepresented groups, especially women and minorities, in clinical trials, identifies major barriers and challenges facing researchers, and suggests strategies for meeting these challenges. The article draws upon the experiences of the investigators affiliated with the National Centers of Excellence of Women's Health (CoEs).

Reprinted with permission from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine, 2000 Vol 9 No 10, pp 1061-1070.) Single copies of this article may be downloaded for personal research and study.

Current as of May 2004