Minorities in clinical trials studied

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Dec 12, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Yale scientists say racial minorities take part in health studies at the same rate as whites when they meet trial criteria and are informed of the study.

The research, conducted with scientists at the National Institutes of Health, debunks a common belief that racial minorities are less willing to participate in research studies.

The authors suggest minority involvement is linked more with access than attitude.

"It's been known for years that black patients are less likely to enroll in research studies than white patients," said study author Dr. Cary Gross, associate professor of internal medicine at Yale. "If the participants in these studies do not reflect the diverse nature of the population, then it won't be clear whether new treatments that may have been promising in the study setting actually work in the real world."

Researchers found blacks and other ethnic minorities are willing to participate in research when there's an opportunity to do so. The authors say the main barrier to participation is access, knowledge the studies exist, eligibility criteria ensuring minorities can participate, and overcoming existing logistical barriers such as the need for child care.

The research is published in PLoS Medicine.

URL: www.upi.com