Race and HIV Clinical Trial Participation

Purpose: This study was designed to examine at the role race/ethnicity plays in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinical trial enrollment. Background: HIV clinical trials are vitally important for improving knowledge about medications and their impact on the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS. African Americans are disproportionately underrepresented in HIV clinical trials. Methods: A 49-item survey was administered to 145 patients at an urban HIV clinic to explore race and HIV clinical trial participation. Results: Study participants were 56% Caucasian, 19% other, 16% African American, and 13% Hispanic. Fewer African Americans had been asked to participate in a trial compared to other groups (8% vs 24%) (p