A new CTTI publication, published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, investigates organizational-level practices for enhancing diversity and inclusion in clinical trials as one component of advancing health equity and improving health outcomes. When clinical trial participants do not reflect the populations that will use the medical product, it can limit our understanding of the safety and efficacy of the investigational medical product, restrict the availability of evidence-based treatment guidelines for vulnerable populations disproportionally burdened by disease, and delay access to innovative and potentially life-extending therapies.
CTTI interviewed 36 senior-level leaders at 20 organizations that conduct clinical trials to gather perspectives on strategies to support diversity and inclusion in clinical research. Based on these interviews and a 2-day meeting with 53 experts, CTTI identified four key action areas to implement sustainable, organizational-level practices: commitment, partnerships, accountability, and resources. To improve equitable access and increase diversity in clinical trial populations, CTTI suggests making diversity and inclusion in clinical trials an organizational priority and defining responsibility for these efforts, establishing and maintaining bi-directional community partnerships, and allocating organizational resources that support diversity and inclusion in clinical research. The CTTI Diversity Project Team is using the findings from this research to develop recommendations and a tool for institutions to use to initiate or enhance their diversity and inclusion efforts.
