AR SR26

Senate supports ensuring diverse racial and ethnic populations are represented in clinical research through increased community awareness and resources.

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

Nonwhites comprise fewer than 5% of participants in National Institutes of Health-supported studies despite Congressional mandate for minority inclusion.

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 (1 in 500 African American births versus 1 in 36,000 Hispanic births).

Resolution directs transmission of this support statement to the President, Vice President, members of Congress, and federal and state government officials.