How clinical trials can include more minority patients: involve the existing, trusted patient-physician relationship. Op Ed by Clinical Research Pathways leader posted in Scientific American @sciam

Marjorie A. Speers, Ph.D., is executive director of Clinical Research Pathways, and a former CDC official and founding leader of the Association for the Accredidation of Human Research Protection Programs. In an Op Ed/blog post that appeared on Scientific American's "Voices" site this week, she argues for stronger, more sustained efforts to include more minorities in clinical trials. As an example of what can be done, she cites a program CRP funded this year at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. This program aims to recruit and teach more minority physicians to become lead invesitgators in clinical trials. These same physicians would then recruit, where appropriate, their own minority patients to participate in clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to develop medicines better suited to minority patients. She is available to discuss this issue with journalists.