S4 Ep1: Understanding the Importance of Diversity in Clinical Trials

Medical innovation happens through clinical trials—but many minority or marginalized communities are not as likely to participate, for a number of reasons. Low participation contributes to this health inequality as clinical trials can help give patients the opportunity to participate in and benefit from new medicine development. This week, guest host Brandy Matthews, associate vice president of global and U.S. medical affairs at Lilly, talks with Ralph and Mollie Richards, and Natalie Cheung Rotelli, senior director of diversity in clinical trials at Lilly. Ralph and Mollie are members of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter Board of Directors and Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Community Advisory Board and work with Black American communities in the Indianapolis metro area and other parts of the country. The group discusses the importance of diversity in clinical trials, the systemic barriers, how sponsors can engage, and Lilly’s role in this work.