University of Maryland Health Equity Center Launches Trust Campaign Targeting Minorities, Health Researchers - Higher Education

University of Maryland Health Equity Center Launches Trust Campaign Targeting Minorities, Health Researchers - Higher Education: The Maryland Center for Health Equity has launched an educational campaign aimed at bridging a longtime gap between health researchers and minority communities. The campaign, known as the “Building Trust Between Minorities and Researchers” program, represents the latest of many efforts the U.S. health care establishment has undertaken in recent years to reduce and eliminate disparities that saddle minorities with disproportionate health burdens and poor outcomes.

The rationale of “Building Trust Between Minorities and Researchers” largely seeks to overcome the history of neglect and abuse members of ethnic and racial minorities endured when few regulations governed medical research practices. Currently, few ethnic and racial minorities participate in clinical trials designed to investigate and discover treatments for diseases and other negative health conditions, according to center officials.

Clinical trials function as a fundamental step in research undertaken to bring about medical advances. The participation of individuals in clinical trials enables researchers to investigate new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. Building Trust will encourage racial and ethnic minorities to participate in clinical trials, as well as encourage researchers to include minorities in research.