The importance of diversity in clinical trials cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to underrepresented groups like Black Americans. A recent study co-authored by a Cornell economist revealed that Black Americans are more willing to participate in medical studies led by Black doctors and researchers, as they perceive them as more trustworthy.
This finding highlights the potential benefits of diversifying the leadership of clinical trials, as it could lead to improved enrollment by underrepresented groups such as Black Americans. Despite comprising 13% of the U.S. population, Black Americans make up just 5% of clinical trial participants, even though they suffer disproportionately from disease and premature death.
Ensuring more proportional racial representation in clinical trials is crucial for understanding the benefits and risks of new treatments across different populations. It can also encourage the broader adoption of preventive or life-saving treatments. Without adequate representation, the generalizability of clinical trial results may be compromised, as certain sub-populations may not benefit in the same way as those involved in the trials.
The study, titled “Investigator Racial Diversity and Clinical Trial Participation,” published in the Journal of Health Economics, highlights the importance of diversifying the principal investigators who run clinical trials. Currently, less than 4% of investigators funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are Black, underscoring the need for greater representation.
To test the potential effectiveness of diversifying the race of principal investigators, the research team conducted an online survey with over 320 Black Americans. Participants were shown headshots of randomly selected investigators—either white or Black, male or female—and were asked about their interest in participating in a medical study led by that person.
The results showed a significant increase in willingness to participate—12.6%—when the principal investigator was of the same race as the participant. Trust was identified as the most important factor influencing this increased willingness, emphasizing the importance of building trust in medical professionals and institutions.
While increasing the number of Black clinical trial leaders may be a long-term goal, the study suggests that leveraging diversity more broadly could improve patient representation in trials. Strategies to build trust and highlight the involvement of diverse researchers in medical advancements can help address historical distrust and improve participation rates among underrepresented groups.
In conclusion, diversifying the leadership of clinical trials is essential for ensuring equitable representation and understanding the impact of new treatments across diverse populations. By promoting diversity among principal investigators and building trust in medical research, we can create more inclusive and effective clinical trials that benefit all communities.
