Encouraging Diversity in Clinical Trial Participation

Recently, the FDA Office of Women's Health and NIH Office of Research on Women's Health announced a new partnership to encourage women of different ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, and health conditions to participate in clinical trials. The Diverse Women in Clinical Trials Initiative includes a consumer awareness campaign, as well as resources and workshops for health professionals and researchers.

Researchers use clinical trials to determine whether medical tests and treatments work and are safe. In recent decades, the US has made significant strides in including women in clinical trials, but we can’t stop there.

Racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in clinical trial participation and this is a barrier to the health and well-being of disadvantaged and minority populations. This is especially true for women living with lupus because clinical trials serve to help the healthcare community target and identify treatments that could ultimately end diseases like lupus.

We are encouraging women of all ages, races, and ethnicities, as well as women with disabilities and chronic health conditions, to consider participating in a clinical trial. With diverse participation, researchers can better understand factors that affect how different women respond to medical treatments and tests as well as prevention strategies. The results can help healthcare providers improve the health of women today as well as future generations. 

Watch this video on why clinical trial diversity matters to FDA.

15 things to know before you join a lupus clinical trial.