Experts: It Will Take Trust – The Benefits to Including Black Californians in Clinical Trials

August 27, 2025

Dr. Jeffery Wayne, a Sacramento internal medicine specialist, shared his personal heart attack experience during a California Black Health Network (CBHN) webinar to highlight the importance of clinical trials. Wayne, who has conducted over 300 clinical trials, emphasized that African Americans are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials, with only 8% of research participants being Black compared to 75% white according to a 2020 FDA report. CBHN CEO Rhonda Smith attributed this disparity to individual mistrust based on historical abuses, community-level issues with trial locations, and systemic problems where providers don't present clinical trials as options to patients of color.

Who is affected

African Americans and other people of color who are underrepresented in clinical trials
Patients with conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease
Communities of color who may not benefit from properly tested medications
Clinical trial participants who are protected by California's Clinical Trial Bill of Rights
Individuals seeking access to new treatments and enhanced medical care

What action is being taken

California Black Health Network (CBHN) is hosting webinars to educate about clinical trials
Dr. Jeffery Wayne is conducting clinical trials and advocating for increased participation
California is implementing the Clinical Trial Bill of Rights to protect research participants
Pharmaceutical experts like George Clayton are advocating for inclusive medical research
Resources like clinicaltrials.gov are being made available to help people find trials

Why it matters

African Americans represent only 8% of clinical trial participants while making up a significant percentage of people with certain diseases
Without diverse representation in trials, medications may not be proven safe and effective for all populations
Participation provides individuals access to new treatments and enhanced medical care
Historical abuses like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study have created mistrust in medical research among communities of color
California's Clinical Trial Bill of Rights is unique nationwide and provides important protections

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint