Milwaukee, WI — Nov 4, 2024 - The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and CMRignite have collaborated on "Time to Talk Diversity in Clinical Trials," a campaign to address the critical need for increased diversity in cancer clinical research and ensure that all patient populations are adequately represented.
As recently as 2020, 75% of clinical trial participants were White, 11% were Latino, 8% were Black, 6% were Asian, and about 1% were Indigenous. Disparities in clinical trial participation pose challenges to understanding the efficacy of therapies across diverse demographics.
“Clinical trials are essential for developing effective therapies, but their benefits must extend to all populations," said Jolynn Sessions, PharmD, BCOP, CPP, FHOPA, HOPA President and Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner/EXCLAIM Pharmacogenomics Pharmacist at the Western North Carolina Veterans Affairs Health Care System. "By collaborating with CMRignite, we have created a platform to highlight the importance of diversity and provide actionable steps to enhance representation in cancer clinical research.”
CMRignite, is the nation’s largest minority-owned cause marketing and social impact agency, and a leader in health communications. They have worked on health equity campaigns including innovative strategies for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and National WIC Association.
"We believe that everyone deserves access to groundbreaking treatments," said David Bowles, CMRignite President. "This campaign will serve as a catalyst for critical dialogue and collaboration among healthcare professionals and the communities they serve."
Key components of the campaign include:
- Educational resources that highlight the importance of diversity in clinical trials and the impact of underrepresentation on treatment outcomes.
- Community engagement, including webinars and community forums to encourage open discussions about barriers to participation in clinical research.
- Partnerships with community organizations and advocacy groups to amplify the message and reach a broader audience.
- Digital campaign, including a landing page dedicated to personal stories and experiences to promote a culture of inclusivity in clinical research.
"Time to Talk Diversity in Clinical Trials" can be found at https://www.hoparx.org/patient-education/diversity-in-clinical-trials/ Together, HOPA and CMRignite are committed to fostering a more inclusive environment in clinical research, leading to improved health outcomes for all patients.
About HOPA
The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) supports hematology/oncology pharmacy professionals and promotes the role of the pharmacist in collaborative cancer care. Founded in 2004, HOPA provides crucial education, networking, and advancement opportunities frequently sought by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, residents, fellows, students, technicians, researchers, and administrators who specialize in hematology/oncology pharmacy. Its vision is to ensure that all individuals affected by cancer have a hematology/oncology pharmacist as an integral member of their care team.
About CMRignite
Founded in 1995, CMRignite is a strategic communications agency that specializes in developing cause and behavior change marketing for Fortune 500 companies, major nonprofits, and government agencies. The agency’s mission is to develop innovative, cross-cultural marketing campaigns that lead to real, positive change. With a team of 50+ employees, 75% of whom are BIPOC, CMRignite was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the country. In addition, the company is a certified Minority Business Enterprise and Woman-Owned Business. For more information, please visit cmrignite.com or call (414) 247-9898.
