Morehouse School of Medicine and the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center at Morehouse School of Medicine Welcome New Community Partners to Clinical Trial Diversity Initiative

Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development (EQBMED) aims to increase awareness of the benefits of diverse participation of clinical trials, address misinformation and historical mistrust, and ensure trials are easily accessible.

ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 24, 2024 – Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development (EQBMED) is proud to announce partnership with the first 14 esteemed community and faith-based organizations and professional societies, furthering the mission to foster equitable access to clinical trials.

Led by Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center (RCMI-CC) at Morehouse School of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, EQBMED has partnered to enhance equity and access to innovative research by bringing clinical trials closer to communities. EQBMED is funded and supported by a grant from Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

EQBMED has developed a collaborative approach, working with trusted voices within the community to address critical barriers facing communities of color and rural residents. The program works to increase awareness of clinical trials, address misinformation and historical mistrust, while ensuring the trials are easily accessible. Community and faith-based organizations will partner with EQBMED to co-develop strategies to more effectively engage and incorporate community perspectives in clinical trials.

"The significance of ensuring communities of color are co-creating with our clinical trial efforts cannot be emphasized enough. Community-based organizations bring established relationships and firsthand insights about individuals' concerns, and this information can help us better overcome any hesitancy they may have. By harnessing this collective expertise, we are rolling out focused initiatives that tackle the unique needs and obstacles encountered by the communities we serve,” said Priscilla Pemu, MD, MS, FACP, Associate Dean for Clinical Research at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Professional societies will design tools and continuing education programs such as training sessions, webinars, and workshops to train and retain health care providers and researchers, with the goal of furthering diversity in the clinical trial ecosystem. The societies will also play a critical role as they partner with EQBMED to support development models that ensure clinical research can be a sustainable element of community and rural clinical practices. Additionally, faith-based organizations will design toolkits for trusted messengers and help to review clinical trials protocols and materials to enhance access and equity.

“Professional societies like the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and the National Medical Association (NMA), represent frontline physicians with longstanding commitment to serving African American communities and advancing health equity,” said Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, FACC, Professor of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the RCMI Coordinating Center at Morehouse School of Medicine. “EQBMED is partnering with the ABC, NMA, and other dynamic organizations whose members represent trusted voices in health care, to amplify our collective efforts, and sustain access of diverse patients to clinical trials.”

The 14 organizations being announced for the Learning Phase are:

Community Organizations:

Faith-Based Organizations:

Professional Societies:

To learn more about Morehouse School of Medicine, please visit MSM.edu.

About Morehouse School of Medicine

Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission—the creation and advancement of health equity. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master’s degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit MSM.edu or call 404-752-1500.

About Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development

Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development (EBQMED) is a pioneering partnership committed to transforming the landscape of clinical trials by advancing diversity, transparency, and knowledge. This collaborative, community-based partnership is led by Yale School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center at Morehouse School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and supported by grant funding from PhRMA. By empowering community-based sites and addressing historical disparities, the program is dedicated to creating a more inclusive future in medicine development.

About PhRMA

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.  PhRMA has convened thousands of stakeholders to explore a new potential infrastructure with diverse communities, health systems, and academia that seeks to show proof of concept for a network of connected, community-rooted and sustainable trial sites. PhRMA provided a grant to Yale University to support the creation and development of this initiative. Learn more about PhRMA’s Equity Initiative at PhRMA.org/Equity.

Contact

Jamille Bradfield
Director, External Communications, Media Relations
& Crisis Communications
Morehouse School of Medicine
jbradfield@msm.edu