Improving Diversity in Clinical Trials: Challenges and Solutions

This episode is the second in Pharma Sessions' series of conversations about clinical trial diversity. The first episode was with a former pharma executive turned clinical trial consultant. In this episode we share a different, more community oriented perspective.

Renarda Jones is a clinical trial professional with over 20 years’ experience in clinical research., mainly in Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease research.

Starting as a research assistant, working her way up to study coordinator and clinical research associate, Renarda had the opportunity to work with underrepresented and underserved communities, specifically the black community. 

Personally witnessing inequalities regarding clinical trials prompted Renarda to start Diverse Research Now in 2020.

Diverse Research Now is working at a community level  to ensure that underrepresented and underserved communities get access to highly-qualified medical professionals and frequent medical care, which is one of the benefits to enrolling in a clinical trial. 

It is their mission to:

• Improve diversity in clinical trial participation by empowering the minority participant through education and support throughout the clinical trial process. 
• to change the thoughts and response communities of color have toward the clinical trial process. 
• To advocate, inform, protect, and support minority participants before and throughout the clinical trial process. 

Episode Summary: 

- Introduction to the need for more discussions about clinical trials in communities 
- Renarda Jones’ background, experience, and role in Diverse Research Now 
- The importance of seeing representation in health discussions 
- The need for a safe and private space for asking and receiving information 
- The history of health inequities in clinical trials and the establishment of Diverse Research 
- Patient recruitment and its effects on clinical trial diversity 
- The Biden administration and legislation for improved diversity 
- Importance of inclusivity in good science 
- Negative experiences of underserved communities with healthcare  
- The speaker’s personal experience with medical trial decision-making 
- Need for improved outreach and education on clinical trials 
- Importance of knowing the basics and when to get involved in clinical trials 
- Addressing the lack of consideration of clinical trials as a treatment option in communities of color.

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/

Follow Renarda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renardajones/

Find Diverse Research now here: https://www.diverseresearchnow.com/

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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