Race Matters: Cardiovascular Trials Not Reporting Race, Asthma Researchers Differ on Inclusivity

Race not reported in more than half of randomized trials for cardiovascular disease. Read more.

Ethnic Liver Cells Help Drug Race

Scientists have produced liver cells specific to different ethnic groups which could revolutionise the development of drugs to treat diseases. See more.

Women's Heart Attack Rates Go Up, Men's Go Down

To learn more about this study please read the following article.

Simple Measures Can Encourage African Americans to Join Clinical Trials

African Americans participate in clinical trials far less frequently than do non-Hispanic whites. Read more.

Scientists ID New Biomarker for Prostate Cancer

See what the University of Michigan researchers say about the new biomarker for Prostate Cancer.

NIH Study Stopped Early Due to Safety Concerns

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stopped a clinical trial testing a drug treatment for pulmonary hypertension in adults with sickle cell disease nearly one year early due to safety concerns. See full article here.

Scientists Present First Genetic Evidence for Why Placebos Work

Placebos are a sham.... Read more from the Newsletter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.

Doctors Unaware of Many Drug Approval Uses

See what researchers say about physicians who erroneously think certain off-label uses of prescription drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Reform Efforts Include Work on Health Disparities

As health reform legislation takes shape, federal officials and legislators are taking steps to make sure that existing health system disparities are addessed. Read more.

Study: Hispanics Get Lower-quality Medical Care

With this new study there is more discouraging news from the health disparity front. Read more.

Researchers Fight For Ethnic Diversity in Trials

Find out how researchers are fighting for ethnic diversity in clinicals trials.

Study: Racial Gap in Prostate Cancer Falls

A new study has concluded that the gap in prostate cancer between African-American men and white men has fallen. Learn more about this study.

Black Youth Invents Surgical Technique at 14 Years of Age

Tony Hansberry II isn't waiting to finish medical school to contribute to improved medical care. Read more about this article on Black America Web News.

What are clinical trials?

See the Patient's Guide to Minority Participation in Clinical Trials according to the Hormone Foundation.

Increasing Minority Participation in Clinical Research

Read the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and learn how to increase the minority participation in clinical research.

Hip-Hop for the Heart Sends a culturally sensitive Message

The story highlights by Sabriya Rice, CNN Medical Producer, can be found here.

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for most minority groups
• Culturally sensitive messages may help change health outcomes for next generation
• Genetics can influence both predisposition to disease and treatment type

Diversifying into Life Sciences

Francis Jones, President/CEO of Innovative Clinical Concepts, was quoted in an article in the Indianapolis Business Journal discussing minority business obstacles in the life sciences arena.

Francis spent 34 years at Lilly conducting and managing clinical trials before founding Innovative Clinical Concepts LLC on East 86th Street in 2003.

Francis aims to recruit minority patients for human trials, which would provide a more diverse test population and, quite possibly, more accurate results. However, convincing large pharmaceutical makers of that need has been difficult. Moreover, most drug companies contract with much larger competitors to conduct trials. “Being a minority in health care, where there is some perception of our capability as to actually doing that type of work, that is a problem,” Jones said. Asked whether she’s had nibbles from Lilly, Jones would only say, “It’s been very difficult across the board.” Read more.

Five Hypertension Genes Found in Black Americans

Federal researchers have identified five genetic variants associated with high blood pressure in Black Americans. Read more.

HHS report highlights minority health disparities

According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the United States spends more than any other nation in the world on health care, in 2007 we spent $2.2 trillion, and despite consistent increases in spending, disparities among demographic groups persist. Low-income Americans and racial and ethnic minorities experience disproportionately higher rates of disease, fewer treatment options, and reduced access to care. With unemployment on the rise, the disparities already apparent among these groups will continue to increase, the HHS said. The agency said it is vital that health reform reduces costs to make health care affordable; protects a patient's choice of doctors, hospitals, and insurance plans; invests in prevention and wellness; and assures quality, affordable health care.

At a news briefing following the release of the report, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus announced their reform priorities for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities. The groups called for elevating the National Institutes of Health’s National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities and strengthening HHS’ Office of Minority Health. They also called for a public health insurance plan option and adequate reimbursement for language and translation services.