WHY AFRICAN-AMERICANS MAY NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN CLINICAL-TRIALS

African Americans have been underrepresented in clinical trials,This s tudy was designed to determine factors that may help explain the low p articipation rate of African Americans in clinical trials, A historica l review documented past medical experimentation and other practices o n blacks that were often brutal and unethical, These experiences may h ave served to fortify the legacy of African-American mistrust in the m edical system and culminated in the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study, four major barriers to participation in clinical trials were identifie d: lack of awareness about trials, economic factors, communication iss ues, and mistrust, These barriers, as well as others, can be surmounte d with proper pretrial planning, patient education, genuine commitment and concern by study staff, and hard work to overcome deficiencies.