By Altair Silvia and Zena Smith
As authors of this blog, marketers, clinical trial advisors, and, importantly, members of Black and Hispanic communities, we aim to high light the human aspects of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) discussion in clinicalresearch. While the clinical benefits of DEI are often discussed, we believe it’s equally important to explore the humanitarian dimensions of this issue.
The United States is home to a richly diverse population, with remarkable statistics underscoring this diversity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population reached 62.1 million in 2020, comprising 19% of the nation’s population, making them the second largest racial or ethnic group after White Americans. African Americans are identified as the third largest group, and Gallup estimates that approximately 7.2% of U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other than heterosexual. Despite this diversity, clinical trials in the U.S. have historically struggled to include representative samples from various racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds, with these groups making up less than 25% of participants in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
While these statistics are compelling, they don’t fully convey the personal stories behind the numbers. We believe it’s essential to understand the communities we aim to serve, including their cultural intricacies, histories, and the past experiences that shape their current behaviors and perceptions, especially regarding clinical trials.
At Continuum, our commitment is to uncover the cultural nuances within these communities. We strive to understand what drives their healthcare decisions and ensure their voices are authentically represented. Our goal is to align their clinical trial experiences with their unique needs and expectations, from initial awareness of a trial to interactions with principal investigators, the enrollment process, and post-study experiences.
For us, DEI is not merely a strategic initiative; it is a deep-seated commitment. This commitment ensures that therapies developed are safe and effective for all individuals affected by diseases. People from different populations may react differently to the same treatment due to factors such as age, gender, weight, race, and ethnicity. Centered on this commitment, we aim to share insights from our work in clinical trial patient recruitment, retention, and DEI research. Stay tuned for more!
Continuum is the leading strategic partner in patient recruitment, helping sponsors accelerate enrollment in challenging studies. We translate a deep understanding of the lived experiences—physical, emotional, and informational—of potential participants into tailored solutions that ensure trials meet enrollment goals with more diverse and representative populations. Learn more about our approach and how we can help you achieve your clinical trial goals!
