Overview
The Chronic Disease
Prevention and Control Research Center (CDPCRC) at
Baylor College of Medicine and the Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) in
Houston are conducting this four-year (2005-2009)
research project that addresses problems and
solutions related to improving participation of
minority and underserved patients in oncology and
asthma clinical trials. The four-year study is
funded by Genentech, Inc.
To maximize the
impact of this effort, the study has two arms,
coupling research on strategies to improve health
care policy together with conducting actual field
research:
1. The policy research arm focuses on health policy and
patient advocacy affecting clinical trial
recruitment efforts in the targeted populations. The
end products will be both a consensus document
outlining health policy priorities and also
educational materials for advocacy to improve
national policy affecting minority recruitment to
clinical trials.
2. The field research
demonstration arm addresses barriers and
facilitators to clinical trial recruitment and
retention in the targeted populations, including
methods and educational materials for outreach to
researchers, referring physicians, patients, and the
general public. In this arm, demonstration research
is being aimed at increasing minority accrual to
oncology and asthma clinical trials.
Overall accrual rates
of minority and medically underserved patients to
oncology and asthma clinical trials are much lower
than necessary to be representative of these groups.
Conversely, women and minority subjects often
withdraw from studies to a disproportionate degree.
However, little is known about the factors affecting
retention or attrition of minorities.
Without adequate
minority representation, researchers can neither
assess differential effects among groups nor ensure
generalizability of trial results. Barriers to
clinical trial participation by minority and
underserved populations include simple lack of
information and culturally appropriate educational
materials, socioeconomic and cultural factors, as
well as mistrust of the medical research
establishment. For many Asians and Hispanics,
limited English proficiency additionally hampers
access not only to clinical trials but also to
preventive and medical services in general.
The CDPCRC and the ICC - Partnerships and
Collaborations
Faculty and staff
of the CDPCRC have over 25 years of experience
developing and applying proven biobehavioral
research models among culturally diverse, at-risk
populations. The Center administers the ICC, a
national coalition of experts, advocates, and
organizations. Together they convene the Biennial
Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved &
Cancer, the largest recurring national program
dealing with cancer among these communities. The ICC
National Network includes over 10,000 individuals as
well as 350 organizations and agencies, both
governmental and non-governmental, concerned with
reducing the unequal burden of cancer among minority
and underserved populations.
Armin D. Weinberg, PhD
Principal
Investigator
Director
Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center
Baylor College of Medicine
Placido Grino, MD
Co-Investigator
Associate Dean of Clinical Research
Clinical & Translational Research Support Services
Baylor College of Medicine
Jay Silver
Executive Director
Intercultural Cancer
Council
For more information, please contact the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at 713-798-4614 or edict@bcm.edu.
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