Whether you’ve taken a medication today to manage a chronic disease or simply keep a headache at bay, you know that medical innovations have the power to change lives. But these breakthroughs don’t just happen. Developing new medicines is a lengthy and complex process, relying heavily on volunteer participation to evaluate potential therapies for safety and effectiveness in clinical studies. Without patients who volunteer for clinical trials, development of new medicines would not be possible.
Research has shown biological and cultural differences can impact how individuals respond to medicines, so clinical testing of the effectiveness of potential new treatments should accurately reflect the patient population that may eventually take them. However, this is simply not happening.
Consider: African-American men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer, yet represent only 4 percent of prostate cancer clinical trial participants. About 13 percent of the U.S. population with Type 2 diabetes is African-American, yet blacks represent less than 5 percent of diabetes clinical trial participants. In fact, according to the Food and Drug Administration, African-Americans represent 12 percent of the U.S. population but only 5 percent of clinical trial participants.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the National Minority Quality Forum recently joined to launch “I’m In,” a national campaign to encourage participation in clinical trials by diverse patient populations. The campaign will empower individuals to learn more about such trials and how they benefit current and future patients as well as local communities.
For the campaign’s first year, we’ve chosen to focus on a few markets with diverse populations and local organizations committed to increasing diversity in clinical trials. Atlanta is one such city, given the area’s many well-respected university medical schools, comprehensive cancer centers and clinical trial research centers that develop innovative new treatments. In fact, nearly 4,900 clinical trials have taken place in Georgia since 1999.
In June, we were honored to work with the Morehouse School of Medicine, a local leader in clinical trials, to address the need for diversity through a summit co-hosted by the school and Pfizer. The I’m In campaign will continue to work with area universities, health care facilities, advocacy groups and physicians to increase awareness about the need for more diverse patient populations to participate.
Every day in Atlanta and beyond, researchers develop solutions to health challenges through clinical trials. Without people who volunteer to participate, this would not be possible. It will require the commitment of all of us to make a difference in the inclusion of diverse patient populations in such trials.
Please join us in saying, “I’m In.”
Gary A. Puckrein is president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit National Minority Quality Forum.
