Diversity in Clinical and Biomedical Research: A Promise Yet to Be Fulfilled: e1001918

Genetic variation correlates with self-identified race [7], and this genetic variation also correlates with clinical presentation and therapeutic response. [...]while not every study needs to examine racial differences or include all racial/ethnic groups, we feel that the group(s) included should be representative of their larger population(s) such that including an adequate proportion of racially/ethnically diverse groups in clinical and biomedical research can provide meaningful opportunities to examine the complex relationship of ancestral influences, environmental exposures, and social factors. Yet, few US biomedical studies focus recruitment efforts on attaining adequate minority representation, nor do they focus their research attention to factors most relevant to minority health [19].