Journal-based CME Course: Improving Enrollment of Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Populations in Heart Failure Trials – A Call to Action From the Heart Failure Collaboratory

Activity ID

12008

Expires

March 23, 2025

Format Type

Journal-based

CME Credit

1

Fee

$30

CME Provider: JAMA Cardiology

Description of CME Course

Importance  Despite bearing a disproportionate burden of heart failure (HF), Black and Hispanic individuals have been poorly represented in HF clinical trials. Underrepresentation in clinical trials limits the generalizability of the findings to these populations and may even introduce uncertainties and hesitancy when translating trial data to the care of people from underrepresented groups. The Heart Failure Collaboratory, a consortium of stakeholders convened to enhance HF therapeutic development, has been dedicated to improving recruitment strategies for patients from diverse and historically underrepresented groups.

Observations  Despite federal policies from the US Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health aimed at improving trial representation, gaps in trial enrollment proportionate to the racial and ethnic composition of the HF population have persisted. Increasing trial globalization with limited US enrollment is a major driver of these patterns. Additional barriers to representative enrollment include inequities in care access, logistical issues in participation, restrictive enrollment criteria, and English language requirements.

Conclusions and Relevance  Strategies for improving diverse trial enrollment include methodical study design and site selection, diversification of research leadership and staff, broadening of eligibility criteria, community and patient engagement, and broad stakeholder commitment. In contemporary HF trials, diverse trial enrollment is not only feasible but can be efficiently achieved to improve the generalizability and translation of trial knowledge to clinical practice.

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

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