Progress in medicine and patient care depends on the development of new ideas and therapeutic approaches, which evolve from research. Clinical studies done in the past have generated today’s medical advances. Likewise, research done today will generate the advances of the future. Clinical trials investigate the potential benefits and hazards of new drugs, therapies, treatments and methods. However, the results from a clinical study can be highly skewed if the participating sample population does not adequately represent the target population. Thus, how could Latinos enjoy the benefits of clinical trials and the medical advances that stem from these if we do not enroll in such trials?

Hispanics comprise 13% of the US population. Yet, Latinos, and other racial/ethnic minorities and socially disadvantaged groups, represent a much smaller percentage in clinical trials. For example, Latinos represent less than 6% of all participants in cancer clinical studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute, as compared to 85% representation by non-Hispanic Whites. Consequently, current cancer and other clinical trials do not accurately assess the needs of a diverse population. New drugs and treatments are frequently being approved which have been proven effective in clinical studies that mainly favor Whites, not Hispanics or Blacks. Minorities’ involvement in clinical trials is crucial as there are marked differences between racial groups in terms of risks for certain diseases and responses to certain drugs and treatments. According to the American Cancer Society, stomach, liver and cervix cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher among Hispanics than non-Hispanic Whites in the United States. Likewise, prevalence of diabetes is higher among Hispanic Americans than in Americans without Hispanic descent (National Institute of Health). Therefore, we need to increase our numbers in clinical trials if we want to know whether certain medical interventions do work with Hispanics and if we want to benefit from cutting-edge clinical research from which we may currently be excluded.

Clinical trials are very safe for participants. Some of the benefits include: careful monitoring by doctors, access to innovative drugs and treatments, services free of charge, etc. On the downside, there are risks involved with participating in clinical trials. For example, drugs or treatments may not be as beneficial as expected or may have harmful side effects. However, these negative aspects are well counterbalanced by the close monitoring that participants undergo, not to mention the rewards of knowing that you have left a legacy to others by contributing to a medical field that could very well benefit, and even save the lives of your own children or other family members.

Many barriers contribute to the lack of participation from underrepresented minority groups, among these, lack of knowledge about clinical trials, cultural beliefs, mistrust of the medical system, and language barriers. Moreover, the only way to break through these obstacles and reach our communities is through education. Clinical trials are being conducted every day in our campus and volunteers are constantly being recruited. It is important to keep in mind that just because you are healthy you are not excluded from being eligible to participate. For more information about clinical trials and how you can participate please visit the following websites:

General Information: http://careconnection.osu.edu/hospitalsandservices/trials/

Cancer: http://www.jamesline.com/patientsandpublic/trials/

Leukemia: http://www.jamesline.com/patientsandpublic/cancertypes/leukemia/expertise/trials/

Prostate Cancer: http://www.jamesline.com/patientsandpublic/cancertypes/prostate/expertise/trials/

Gastrointestinal: http://www.jamesline.com/patientsandpublic/cancertypes/gi/expertise/trials/

Gynecologic Cancer: http://www.jamesline.com/patientsandpublic/cancertypes/gynecologic/expertise/trials/

Stroke: http://careconnection.osu.edu/diseasesandconditions/healthtopics/stroke/trials/

AIDS: http://internalmedicine.osu.edu/infectiousdiseases/395.cfm

Pulmonary and Critical Care: http://internalmedicine.osu.edu/pulmonary/762.cfm

Cardiovascular: http://internalmedicine.osu.edu/cardiovascular/785.cfm