Medical advancements should benefit everyone, yet history has shown us that Black women have often been excluded from the research that shapes modern treatments. This exclusion is not just an oversight—it has real consequences.
When clinical trials do not reflect the diversity of the people they aim to treat, the effectiveness of medications and therapies may be compromised. For Black women—who face higher rates of conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, heart disease, and more—this lack of representation can mean fewer treatment options, more side effects, and continued disparities in care.
While historical mistreatment, including the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the exploitation of Henrietta Lacks, has created deep mistrust in medical research, it is crucial that we reclaim our place in clinical trials to ensure that future treatments are designed with our bodies in mind.
Yet, Black women remain significantly underrepresented in clinical research—even for conditions that impact us the most. It’s time for that to change.
The reality is clear: when Black women are left out of medical research, the results don’t work for us. Our participation isn’t just about receiving cutting-edge treatments—it’s about demanding healthcare that acknowledges and prioritizes our unique needs.
💊 Better Treatments for Us – Most medications and procedures are tested primarily on white patients, leading to dosage miscalculations and unexpected side effects in Black women. Our participation ensures that treatments are designed with us in mind.
🩺 Access to New and Effective Treatments – Many clinical trials offer free or low-cost access to therapies that are still being developed, providing hope for conditions that have limited treatment options.
📖 Contributing to Medical Knowledge – Our involvement helps build a more inclusive body of research, shaping future medical standards that work for us, not just everyone else.
You don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist to make a difference. Your voice, your participation, and your advocacy can reshape healthcare for Black women. Here’s how you can get involved:
🔹 Educate Yourself – Learn how clinical trials work, your rights as a participant, and how they impact Black women’s health. ClinicalTrials.gov is a great starting point.
🔹 Talk to Your Doctor – Ask about ongoing clinical trials that may be relevant to your health. Use the HIHH Provider Directory to find a culturally competent physician who understands your concerns.
🔹 Find a Trial That Aligns with Your Health Needs – Not all trials focus on life-threatening illnesses. Some address conditions like PCOS, PMDD, and fibroids, which disproportionately affect Black women.
🔹 Join a Support Group – Connect with other Black women participating in clinical trials through the HIHH Online Community, where real conversations about healthcare experiences happen every day.
✅ Find a clinical trial through WeConnect and take the next step in advocating for your health.
We understand the historical and systemic reasons why many Black women are skeptical about clinical trials. But here’s what we also know:
❌ Medical mistrust is real—but modern clinical trials follow strict ethical guidelines to prevent past injustices from repeating.
❌ Lack of information keeps us out of trials—many Black women don’t even know these opportunities exist, and that’s something we can change.
❌ Accessibility is a challenge—many trials aren’t actively recruiting in Black communities, which is why we must demand inclusion and advocate for studies designed with us in mind.
Our voices matter. When we show up in clinical research, we don’t just help ourselves—we help shape the future of medicine for generations to come.
Every breakthrough in medicine starts with research—and research needs Black women to be truly inclusive and effective.
✨ Be informed. Get involved. Demand better.
✅ Explore clinical trials and connect with culturally competent doctors through HIHH.
Our participation today creates a healthier tomorrow for all Black women. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. And together, we are changing the future of medicine. 💛✊🏾