AR HR1044

African-Americans represent 12% of the U.S. population but only 5% of clinical trial participants, while Hispanics comprise 16% of the population but only 1% of participants, according to a 2011 FDA study.

Nonwhites comprise fewer than 5% of participants in National Institutes of Health-supported studies despite Congressional mandate requiring inclusion of minorities in federally financed research.

Certain medical conditions disproportionately affect minority groups, including Type II diabetes (African-Americans and Hispanics twice as likely to be diagnosed) and sickle cell disease (affects 1 in 500 African American births versus 1 in 36,000 Hispanic births).

Race and ethnicity affect drug efficacy for certain medications, including anti-hypertensive therapies for African-Americans and anti-depressants for Hispanics.

The House of Representatives supports dedicating additional community resources to increase awareness of clinical trial importance, provide patient participation support, and promote community partnerships to improve diversity in clinical research.