According to a recent report African American physicians are underrepresented as clinical trial investigators.
Medical analysts report of the following socioeconomic advantages for the program:
- Increasing the number of African American physicians that participate as principal investigators in clinical trials is significant because they are more likely to treat African American patients.
- By African Americans being involved at larger rates in studies it could provide valuable insights into cultural and biological nuances.
"The inadequate representation of minority physicians engaged in clinical research impacts the quality of medical care provided to our racially and ethnically diverse patient population," said Albert Morris, MD, president, National Medical Association.
He continues by saying, "It is imperative that we elevate the level of knowledge of clinical research in our communities and achieve greater participation of minorities in clinical trials if we are to improve the quality of care provided to our patients. This is why the National Medical Association has partnered with medical groups to strengthen and support initiatives such as Project IMPACT (Increase Minority Participation and Awareness of Clinical Trials)."
An article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute outlines some of the trends medical practitioners have noted and the need for programs like IMPACT.
A study published in the journal revealed that in the mid to late 90's, the colorectal cancer death rate was 16.4 per 100 000 for white Americans and 22.5 per 100 000 for black Americans. Researchers found Blacks disproportionately receive less aggressive or less appropriate therapies than whites for cancer and for a number of other diseases. The findings lead many to hypothesize that the increasing colon cancer disparity is because medical research has found efficacious treatments and society has not disseminated these treatments equally throughout the population, specifically with minorities..
In an article written by Otis W. Brawley, Director, National Cancer Institute and Harold P. Freeman from the North General Hospital in New York, titled "Race and Outcomes" the researchers said:
Health researchers and minority health advocates have long appreciated that a substantial part of the black-white disparity in cancer mortality is due to late stage at presentation at the time of treatment in blacks. Related to this, major efforts have been undertaken to encourage disease awareness, promote early detection, and increase minority participation in clinical trials.
Project IMPACT however has taken that charge and has established a database of over 500 African American physicians interested in clinical research to date.
