FDA Addresses Health Disparities Through Communication, Research, and Collaboration

FDA Addresses Health Disparities Through Communication, Research, and Collaboration

As Minority Health Month comes to a close, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to work on solutions to eliminate health disparities among diverse racial and ethnic populations. The disparities in health span everything from cancer and diabetes to heart disease, sickle cell disease, and HIV/AIDS. The FDA’s work on these issues is a priority—and is intrinsic to the work we do across the agency.  The FDA, including the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE), promotes and protects the health of diverse populations and strives for health equity for all, including those who experience disparities related to race and ethnicity. One example is the agency’s work to encourage diversity in clinical trials. Racial and ethnic minority populations continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials and remain disproportionately burdened by many chronic and debilitating diseases. The FDA also has made strides related to disease and treatment areas for which there are noted health disparities. Examples are the agency’s work to support research focused on minority health and the agency’s work on sickle cell disease, a genetic condition that affects the body’s red blood cells.  This piece reveals how the FDA remains committed to addressing health disparities by working collaboratively with stakeholders, other agencies, and patients.