Disparities in access to translational research

Translational research describes the process of applying observations and scientific discoveries made in the laboratory to clinical applications that can improve the health of individual patients, most often through clinical trials. To apply the findings of translational research studies to the broader population, the study population must accurately reflect the group of patients afflicted by a particular disease. Yet, it is well known that significant disparities exist for underrepresented groups and lower socioeconomic populations in clinical trials. In fact, only 20% of randomized controlled studies published in high-impact oncology journals include subgroup analyses to assess differences in outcomes based on race or ethnicity.¹ If effective interventions to decrease health disparities in research are to be implemented, it is critical to understand the multifactorial influences that create such differences. These are complex and include individual patient factors, family and social support, provider and organizational factors, as well as policy and community factors. Patient access to tertiary or quaternary care academic centers or designated cancer centers with the funding and resources to carry out translational research and knowledge of ongoing available research endeavors is often critical. Active community engagement and outreach and deep understanding of a particular health system's catchment area are necessary to increase both awareness and participation in clinical trials. Without significant progress in biomedical research patient recruitment, existing racial and ethnic health disparities will be challenging to overcome.