Bridging The Gap: Addressing Diversity In Clinical Trials

By Jaleeysa King

Clinical trials are essential for developing effective medical treatments, yet they often fall short in representing racial minorities and underserved communities. This article examines the barriers to participation, including mistrust of the medical system, cultural biases, and gatekeeper bias from clinicians who set exclusion criteria. Additionally, the LGBTQIA+ community faces unique challenges due to a lack of data on sexual orientation and gender identity, which limits understanding of treatment effects for this population. To address these disparities, this article proposes several actionable strategies, including fostering community engagement to build trust, revising exclusion criteria to rely on objective data, enhancing cultural competence among clinical staff, and improving trial designs to be more inclusive. By prioritizing diversity in clinical trials, we can ensure that medical advancements benefit all populations, ultimately leading to more equitable healthcare outcomes.