The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not ordinarily conduct clinical trials. But the FDA relies on the data from these trials to determine whether medical products are safe and effective.

Clinical trials are voluntary human research studies designed to answer specific questions about the safety and effectiveness of drugs, vaccines, devices, and other therapies—or to study new ways of using existing treatments.

Overall, few people actually sign up for and participate in trials, and those who do participate don’t always represent the U.S. population. Participation is especially low for certain populations, including adults age 75 or older and people from certain racial and ethnic groups.

That’s why the FDA is encouraging more patients to participate in clinical trials, especially people of different ages, races, ethnic groups, and genders.

Read the Consumer Update to learn more about why diversity is important—and what the FDA is doing to encourage it.









































Source: FDA Consumer Health Information