Clinical trials are medical research studies to find an improved way to treat, prevent or diagnose an illness. Volunteers are required to prove the efficacy of the new approach. Historically, African Americans and other minorities, as well as women and the elderly, have not been well represented among those participating in clinical trials. Some African Americans are distrustful of the health care system in general and clinical trials in particular, and choose not to volunteer. Yet it has been shown that medicines can affect people differently. Depending on the protocol, researchers seek a wide range of volunteers to understand the impact of the new treatment on everyone.
