Intro: I’m Tanesha Nicole and this is Ask A Scientist.  Today, I’m talking about the importance of diversity in clinical trials with Dr. Emily Limerick from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at NIH.

TN: Dr. Limerick, why does diversity matter in clinical trials?

EL: Making sure that different populations are represented in science allows us to know that the information that we’re getting reflects then all of these different populations and communities that participated in the research.

TN: But minorities and women haven’t always been included, right?

EL: Sadly, historically, research has involved a very small demographic cohort that was limited to perhaps older Caucasian individuals. Building trust that the results are accurate and applicable requires having a diverse representation within those trials. 

TN: How can someone participate in a clinical trial?

EL: ClinicalTrials.gov is an amazing website with a wealth of information, not only about what’s happening here on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, but also at academic institutions around the U.S.

Outro: For more information, visit nhlbi.nih.gov.