Researchers and IRB members are aware of the need to ensure study populations reflect the community. Careful attention to enrollment helps ensure study results are valid and generalizable, and allows the IRB to determine that subject selection is equitable (which is one of the criteria for approval).
A recent New York Times article addressed the obstacles faced by minority groups when enrolling in clinical trials, some of which have the potential to improve not only treatment for a disease, but individual subjects’ health. The article discusses obstacles to enrollment and some of the steps some institutions have taken to overcome them. Please click on the link above to read the full article.
The New York Times allows something like 10 free articles per month to nonsubscribers. Please contact Edith Paal at paalediths@uams.edu if you have trouble accessing the article.