Increasing Clinical Trial Diversity – The Right Technologies And Strategies For Reaching Underserved Patient Populations

The clinical trial landscape has long been characterized by a resistance to change, with researchers often relying on familiar methods and processes to navigate the complexities of study conduct. While this comfort zone may offer a sense of security, it also perpetuates a lack of innovation and, more critically, a dearth of diversity among study participants. This lack of diversity undermines the validity and generalizability of research findings, posing significant challenges to the development of therapies that can truly benefit diverse patient populations. However, recent legislative interventions signal a turning point in the industry's approach to diversity and inclusion.

In January 2023, U.S. lawmakers enacted requirements for diversity action plans in all clinical trials overseen by the FDA, signaling a mandate for change in research practices. With these regulations now in place, sponsors are compelled to adopt strategies for recruiting and enrolling more representative patient cohorts. By leveraging flexible solutions, capable of facilitating remote data collection and ensuring accessibility via mobile devices, sponsors can proactively address these mandates while advancing the development of safer and more effective therapies for a broader spectrum of patients. As the industry embraces these shifts, explore how the path toward more inclusive and impactful clinical research is increasingly within reach.