Improving Racial and Ethnic Representation in Pediatric Trials

Representation of different racial and ethnic groups in clinical trials has been an ongoing concern across all clinical fields, and pediatrics is no exception.

A recent study from Emory University School of Medicine found that the number of pediatric clinical trials that reported participant race and ethnicity had increased from 2011 to 2020. However, participant race and ethnicity were still underreported.

Lead study author Chris A. Rees, MD, MPH, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Emory University, spoke of how addressing issues of representation could improve upon disparities in health care not only in the pediatric space but across all fields.

“Overall, as a field, it’s time that we start moving more towards solutions,” said Rees. “In our mind, this was an actionable way to include representation.”