Disparities in Research Studies and Their Impact on Marginalized Communities in Healthcare

Abstract

The United States healthcare system has been disproportionally affecting marginalized communities’ healthcare due to the lack of diversity in research studies. These effects can be seen in the African American community, the population of women, and the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout history actions taken by healthcare officials, specifically researchers, have fostered a negative association within communities about studies. Which has resulted in a lack of volunteers and participation within marginalized communities and consequently heavily decreased the diversity needed to accurately represent populations in studies. This has created a rift in the accurateness of medical treatment that members of these communities face. Without access to recent information that details specific reactions, officials are often not able to treat patients in marginalized groups with accurate data. This creates problems with patients receiving care that is not geared towards them and doctors not taking into account biological  differences in patients. The necessity of diversity in studies is seen through the treatment of marginalized communities today when patients have to face medical officials who are misinformed about how to treat them.  There is a distinct correlation between unsuccessful treatment and the lack of representation seen in research studies. Misinformation about marginalized communities is harmful to patients when they are trying to be treated and fosters negative feelings within these groups about healthcare officials. To stop perpetuating these ideas, medical officials need to become more active in gaining back marginalized communities’ trust and advocating for representation in research studies as a necessity for quality healthcare.