New White Paper Highlights Urgent Need to Improve Hispanic Participation in Lung Cancer Clinical Trials

Today, the American Lung Association released a new white paper titled Lung Cancer Clinical Trials: Addressing Hispanic Participation, which examines the significant under-enrollment of Hispanic patients in lung cancer clinical trials and outlines actionable steps to increase participation and improve access to care.

Although Hispanic people make up nearly 19% of the U.S. population, they represent only 6% of clinical trial participants. The low number of enrollment limits access to the most advanced treatments and hinders research efforts aimed at improving treatment outcomes for everyone with lung cancer.

“Lung cancer clinical trials offer patients access to the newest treatments and can extend lives—but far too often, Hispanic individuals are left out,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “This white paper shines a light on a longstanding issue and offers practical, community-based solutions to ensure more patients can benefit from medical innovation.”

This new research is a part of the Lung Association’s Awareness, Trust and Action program, which aims to educate Hispanic individuals about clinical trials and encourages them to speak with their healthcare provider about their treatment options. Clinical trials are critical to advancing new lung cancer treatments. Clinical trials are highly monitored research studies that can test many things like how to prevent a disease, new ways to detect or diagnose a disease or new ways to treat a disease. Each participant in a clinical trial is treated with the highest level of care. Sometimes the most appropriate treatment option for a lung cancer patient is through a clinical trial.  

The white paper outlines key barriers to participation, including:

• Limited availability of trials in communities where Hispanic populations live
• Language and cultural gaps in communication
• Mistrust in the medical system and lack of awareness about clinical trials
• Logistical challenges such as time off work, transportation and childcare

To address these issues, the Lung Association proposes a range of strategies, including:

• Expanding trial sites to reach more Hispanic communities
• Partnering with trusted local organizations and healthcare providers
• Offering Spanish-language information and support
• Ensuring clinical trial staff are equipped to engage with patients in culturally appropriate ways

“This report is a call to action for the research community, healthcare providers, and policymakers,” Wimmer added. “By improving access and removing participation barriers, we can ensure that more people have the opportunity to benefit from the latest advancements in lung cancer treatment.”

The American Lung Association encourages stakeholders to review the full white paper and work collaboratively to create a more inclusive and equitable clinical trial system that serves all communities. Read the full white paper here.

Support for this project provided in part by Genentech.