Numerous studies over the past several years have found that across the U.S., clinical trials have not fully represented racial and ethnic minorities, including Black people, Asian Americans, Hispanics and other groups. According to U.S. Census data, Black people represent 13.4% of the U.S. population, yet the FDA reports that they make up only 5% of clinical trial participants.
To help address these inequities, ZS conducted two studies. The first one, the U.S. Voice of Site/Voice of Patient (V.O.S.P.), was launched to better understand trial site team experiences and perceptions about the engagement gap among historically underrepresented patient communities. It surveyed 201 patients, 78 clinical research coordinators (CRCs) and 157 principal investigators (PIs).
Studying Underrepresented Patients for Equity in Recruiting (S.U.P.E.R.), ZS's second study, sought to uncover cognitive factors that influence conscious decision-making and better understand how behavioral science can play a role in clinical trial recruitment. The study included 279 patients who had not previously participated in a clinical trial but were receiving treatment for breast cancer, chronic respiratory conditions or inflammatory bowel disease.