The FDA recently showcased the demographic characteristics of study volunteers in clinical trials for drugs that gained approval in 2019. Of the 46,391 participants, nine percent of study volunteers were Black/African American, the same percentage were Asian, and 18 percent were Hispanic. This lack of representation results in inequities in our health care system and the effectiveness of new therapies.
“Clinical research education and awareness are even more critical today – especially among diverse, underserved communities,” says Dr. Karriem S. Watson, DHS, MS, MPH, Associate Executive Director, Mile Square Health Center UI Health, Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement UI Cancer Center at UIC. “Now is the time to ensure that new therapies are developed that reflect our diverse population.
Through a free clinical research education event produced by the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) and supported by local research teams, advocacy groups, and a consortium of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Chicagoans can learn about ways we can all take part – whether that’s through helping to design clinical trials or monitoring the groups that design these studies – or by participating in clinical research as study volunteers. These are all ways to help improve public health and eliminate health disparities.”
Called “AWARE for All,” the online event will take place Thursday, July 16, 4 – 6 p.m. CST. As part of the event, attendees will have access to free virtual health assessments and informative presentations from community organizations, local physicians, and more! Register today: https://bit.ly/2D58mnl
The AWARE event planning committee and local supporters include the AWARE Industry Consortium, Peer Plus, Rush Institute for Translational Medicine, Allergy and Asthma Network, Aurora Advocate Health, Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative, Equal Hope, Force Medical, Georgia Doty Comprehensive Health, Great Lakes Clinical Trials, JDRF, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Lupus Society of Illinois, Northwestern Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, NUCATS, SOAAR/Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research, Susan G. Komen, UIC Cancer Center, and Drugviu.
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