Black History Month and Clinical Research

Black History Month and Clinical Research

Kayla Cox

Each February, we recognize Black History Month and African American history and culture. It is a time to honor the resistance and resilience of Black individuals in America. Carter G. Woodson was only the second Black individual to obtain a P.h.D from Harvard University and was an advocate for the teaching of Black history. He saw it as "overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them." He created a week dedicated to Black history in 1926 to ensure that it was taught in schools. This was later expanded to Black History Month. His contributions and legacy live on as we continue to recognize Black History Month each February. 

The field of clinical research has a well-documented history of excluding Black individuals, both in the development of treatments and their participation in clinical trials. Among other demographic factors, race can affect people’s risk of developing certain conditions and it is important that research participants reflect those who are most impacted by a disease or illness. While there have certainly been advancements in the field, clinical trials are still far from inclusive with 75% of participants being white while making up 60% of the U.S. Only 8% of participants are African American while being 13% of the overall population. Much of the work to increase participation among minority populations involves building back trust in a system that has a deeply exclusionary and racist past. 

At its core, FindMyClinicalTrial is about patient advocacy and ensuring that patients have equal access to finding trials that fit their needs. We recognize the past exclusion of Black patients from clinical research and the work there still is to be done. We are committed to addressing these disparities by actively working to increase equity in clinical trials. Our platform is designed to empower patients with transparent and accessible searching capabilities. By prioritizing patient advocacy and breaking down barriers to participation with our 100% free platform, we strive to contribute to a more inclusive and representative clinical research landscape.

If you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial, you can use our clinical trial search engine at app.findmyclinicaltrial.org.

 Want to learn more about Black History Month?

Black History Month Resource Guide for Educators and Families

Black History Month - National Academy of Medicine

Honoring Black History Month - ACRP

Sources:

Carter G. Woodson | NAACP

Why It’s Vital That All People — Including People of Color — Take Part in Clinical Research Studies