A Conceptual Model to Achieve Health Equity in APOL-1 Clinical Studies

Area of Science:

• Health Equity
• Clinical Trial Diversity
• Socioecological Models

Background:

• Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL-1)-mediated kidney disease disproportionately affects minority populations.
• Clinical study participation lacks diversity, limiting generalizability of findings.
• The socioecological model (SEM) offers a framework to understand health influences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply the SEM to identify barriers and facilitators for diverse clinical study participation in APOL-1 kidney disease.
• To propose a novel SEM framework for improving enrollment and engagement.
• To offer a model for enhancing diversity in other health conditions impacting minority groups.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual application of the socioecological model (SEM).
• Identification of challenges and opportunities across four SEM levels: intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and structures/systems.
• Framework development for diverse APOL-1 clinical study enrollment.

Main Results:

• The SEM framework highlights multi-level factors influencing diverse participation in APOL-1 studies.
• Specific challenges and sustainable opportunities were identified at each SEM level.
• A structured approach is proposed for enhancing diversity and equity in clinical research.

Conclusions:

• The SEM provides a robust framework for understanding and addressing diversity in APOL-1 kidney disease clinical studies.
• This approach can improve the generalizability of research findings for health conditions affecting minority populations.
• Implementing the SEM can foster greater equity in clinical research participation and outcomes.