Diversity in Clinical and Biomedical Research: A Promise Yet to Be Fulfilled

Abstract

Summary PointsO_LIHealth disparities persist across race/ethnicity for the majority of Healthy People 2010 health indicators.\nC_LIO_LIMost physicians and scientists are informed by research extrapolated from a largely homogenous population, usually White and male.\nC_LIO_LIA growing proportion of Americans are not fully benefiting from clinical and biomedical advances since racial and ethnic minorities make up nearly 40% of the U.S. population.\nC_LIO_LIIgnoring the racial/ethnic diversity of the U.S. population is a missed scientific opportunity to fully understand the factors that lead to disease or health.\nC_LIO_LIU.S. biomedical research and study populations must better reflect the countrys changing demographics. Adequate representation of diverse populations in scientific research is imperative as a matter of social justice, economics, and science.\nC_LI