Involving minority and underrepresented women in clinical trials: The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health

Recent attention to reducing health disparities among population groups has focused on the need to include in clinical studies, especially clinical tr ials, participants who represent the diversity of the populations to which study results will be applied. While scientists generally applaud the goal of broadening the characteristics of participants in clinical trials, they are faced with multiple challenges as they seek to include historically und errepresented populations in their research. This article examines the hist orical and sociocultural context of participation by underrepresented group s, especially women and minorities, in clinical trials, identifies major ba rriers and challenges facing researchers, and suggests strategies for meeti ng these challenges. The article draws upon the experiences of the investig ators affiliated with the National Centers of Excellence of Women's Health (CoEs).