Journal article
Why are African Americans under-represented in medical research studies? Impediments to participation
Ethnicity & Health, Vol.2(1-2), pp.31-45
03/01/1997
DOI: 10.1080/13557858.1997.9961813
PMID: 9395587
Abstract
Objectives. In accordance with the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, the National Institutes of Health and the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Administration require grant applicants and cooperative agreement participants to include minorities in human subject research. In an environment characterized by diminishing research dollars, this mandate has increased the pressure on investigators to determine factors that impede minority participation and to develop strategies to overcome these impediments.
Methods. An extensive review of the literature was conducted to identify the factors possibly responsible for the low participation levels of African Americans in medical research studies and to highlight areas for further research. The items examined included the historical relationship between African Americans and medical researchers and the attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of potential participants and researchers as they relate to the low representation of African Americans in medical research.
Results. The factors identified as possible impediments to African American participation included distrust of the medical/scientific community, poor access to primary medical care, the failure of researchers to recruit African Americans actively, the alienation of minority health professionals, lack of knowledge about clinical trials, language and cultural barriers.
Conclusions. Well-designed, relevant, ethical research in conjunction with an appreciation of the many barriers to participation are paramount to increasing African American presence in clinical research.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Why are African Americans under-represented in medical research studies? Impediments to participation
- Creators
- Vickie L Shavers-Hornaday - Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, College of Medicine , University of IowaCharles F Lynch - Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, College of Medicine , The University of IowaLeon F Burmeister - Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, College of Medicine , The University of IowaJames C Torner - Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, College of Medicine , The University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Ethnicity & Health, Vol.2(1-2), pp.31-45
- DOI
- 10.1080/13557858.1997.9961813
- PMID
- 9395587
- NLM abbreviation
- Ethn Health
- ISSN
- 1355-7858
- eISSN
- 1465-3419
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/01/1997
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Surgery; Injury Prevention Research Center; Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9983995104502771
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