WOMEN ’S BRAIN HEALTH SERIES: Diverse Women in Clinical Trials—We Can Make a Difference

Today we wrap up our Disruptive Women WOMEN’S BRAIN HEALTH SERIES with a post by FDA’s Marsha Henderson.  Clinical research will play an important role in helping to advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in women. During my 20+ year career at the FDA Office of Women’s Health, I have seen improvements in women’s overall participation in clinical trials and advancements in clinical research design and recruitment. However, I know that despite this progress our work is not done. Many women are still uninformed about clinical trials or they simply haven’t been asked to participate. My office launched the Diverse Women in Clinical Trials Initiative to help change this reality. Our initiative strives to promote the participation of diverse populations of women in clinical research by conducting outreach and awareness activities across the country and by supporting workshops to share best practices with researchers and health professionals. We are bringing together a community of everyday women, health professionals, caregivers, researchers and advocates who are raising their voices to encourage women to participate in clinical trials. Deciding to participate in a clinical trial is a decision that women must make after talking it over with their health care provider and family. As with all medical treatments, you have to consider the risks and benefits of participating. I know firsthand. I made the decision to participate ...
Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Alzheimer’s Disease Health Women Women's Health Source Type: blogs