b'Medicine & Research RReesseeaarrcchhttooBE BeenneettEvveerryyoonneeHHoowwddiivveerrssiittyy,,eeqquuiittyy,,annddiinncclluussiioonneennhhaanncceerreesseeaarrcchhaHistorically, many communities have beenthe health condition and need the treatment underrepresented in research, includingthe trial is testing. Health disparities across those from racial and ethnic minorities,communities have been the source of gaps older adults, rural communities, people within science and the development of lifesaving disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. Intreatmentsforeveryone.Itisessentialto the 20th century, disadvantaged groups werehave as a wide range of people from different exploited for research. This has led to distrust ofcommunities participate in clinical trials as the medical community and clinical researchpossible to reduce biases, promote social justice in many communities, especially those of color.and health equity, and help foster better science. Equity and inclusion Diversity in clinical researchPeople may experience the same diseaseDiversity refers to the traits and characteristics differently. This is certainly true of multipleof all people, making it vital in clinical trials for sclerosis. Different people may also havemany reasons. It ensures the evidence gathered different reactions to the same treatmentwill be widely applicable to the population based on factors such as age, gender, weight,that will use the treatments.race, ethnicity, and others. Therefore, clinicalHistorically, clinical trials did not always trials must include people with a variety ofrecruit participants who represented the lived experiences and living conditions.individuals most affected by a particular Diversity, equity, and inclusion encouragesdisease or condition. Often, these clinical trials the representation and participation of diverserelied almost exclusively on white male study populations, including those of varying genderparticipants. This shortcoming has created gaps identities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio- in understanding of diseases and conditions, economic populations, cultures, and sexualpreventive factors, and treatment effectiveness orientations. Inclusion refers to the behaviorsacross populations. These knowledge gaps and practices that ensure those individualslead to bias in the quality of healthcare and groups are valued, enabling diversity todecision-making, the ability to counsel people ourish. Equity ensures everyone has equalon risk reduction, optimal treatment responses, access to the same opportunities, regardlessandthedevelopmentofmoreeffective of background or identity.medications and interventions. Equity in clinical trials means the participantsDiversity in participation helps researchers represent those who are most likely to haveidentify differences in effectiveness and safety msfocusmagazine.org 16'