Art and Science Are United in Support of Diversity in Clinical Trials

CARY, N.C. - July 18, 2022 - PRLog -- Most of us do not think twice about taking over-the-counter medications, filling prescriptions from our doctors, undergoing medical procedures, or using medical devices. But most do not realize that these medical interventions are only possible because of clinical trials and the people who continue to participate in them. Ensuring that medical advances are effective for a wide-range of individuals requires diverse participation in clinical studies. Many groups, however, are not appropriately represented.

North Carolina startup SiteBridge Research is on a mission to increase diversity and participation in clinical trials, and it is mobilizing the arts to help. The company has partnered with iParticipate Incorporated to launch the Bridging the Gap for Clinical Trials Art Contest. Together, the organizations hope to harness the power of the arts to amplify public messages about health and research.

"The arts have the capacity to educate, generate conversation, transform thinking, and motivate," said Manesh Patel, chief of the division of Cardiology and division of Clinical Pharmacology at Duke University School of Medicine and Co-Founder of SiteBridge Research. "We are hoping that positive experiences shared through a creative lens can help transform and inform the public's thinking about clinical studies and their impact."

Beginning June 15, adults ages 18 and older can submit entries to the contest's three categories – visual arts, music, and the spoken word. The qualifying entries in each category can win prizes ranging from $500-$2,000. Those interested in participating must adhere to one of four different themes: personal experience, improved health outcomes, impact to family, friends, or community, and access to medicine.

In addition to supporting contest submissions, the Bridging the Gap for Clinical Trials dedicated website also encourages the community to exercise their public activism to move three current bi-partisan bills through Congress that each promote diversity in clinical trials: DEPICT Act, DIVERSE Act, and Cures 2.0 Act.

Research points to a dearth in minority participation in clinical research, as well as its connection to persistent health disparities in communities of color. The Food and Drug Administration reported in its 2019 Trials Snapshots Summary that 30,000 individuals participated in FDA approved clinical trials. Participation comprised 29% women, 7% Hispanic, 3.2% black or African American, and 2% Asian. However, the US 2020 Census reports that women comprised 51%, Hispanics 18.5%, black or African American 12.2%, and Asians 5.6% of total US population.

"The intersection of sciences and the arts to invigorate messaging about the critical importance of inclusive representation in clinical trials is overdue," said Allison Kalloo, founder of iParticipate and Clinical Ambassador Holdings, clinical trial participant, and artist. "And the case is made more compelling since the arts inherently celebrate diversity," said Ms. Kalloo who also spearheaded a similar arts-in-medicine initiative to broaden tuberculosis awareness for the city of New Haven, Connecticut in the nineties.

Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new guidance to pharmaceutical sponsors urging them to develop diversity plans to enroll more participants from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations into clinical trials. Minority participation is important, because people of different racial/ethnic backgrounds, sex, and age may react differently to the same medication.

"Making diversity a reality demands that we hear from all voices in the community," added Chris Komelasky, CEO and co-founder of SiteBridge Research. "We see the contest creating an unprecedented opportunity for expression and education, and we look forward to the artistic talent that will translate into compelling awareness, understanding, and dialogue about the importance of clinical trial participation. We are excited to see how this intersection of the arts, health, public policy, and community voices can enable change."

Corporate sponsors similarly inspired can make tax-deductible donations in the Bridging the Gap for Clinical Trials 'Arts Patron' category which will be donated to an organization that reflects the vision and values of the program.

SiteBridge Research is a community-focused Integrated Research Organization (IRO) that helps connect physicians and their patients to clinical trials and facilitates the process with their 'Trial-In-A-Box' platform by reducing barriers for sites and participants, especially underserved populations.

IParticipate is a 501(c)3 organization with a passionate mission to multiply public awareness, patient education and advocacy, and diverse access to clinical trials with Ambassadors who facilitate focus groups, community engagement, and a 24-hour phone line to support participants throughout their clinical trial journey.

Contact

For more information about the Bridging the Gap for Clinical Trials Art Contest please visit https://www.bridgingthegapct.com or contact Johanne Laboy info@bridgingthegapct.com. For more information about SiteBridge research, please visit https://www.sitebridgeresearch.com/.

Reach iParticipate at www.i-Participate.org or email Allison Kalloo at iparticipate360@gmail.com.

Contact
Johanne Laboy
***@sitebridgeresearch.com
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