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Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development chose the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center as a new clinical trial site. This partnership is one of the final four sites chosen during EQBMED’s learning phase within its first year of expansion.
The learning phase is an effort to ensure local sites and communities that have historically been less engaged in clinical research have the support, resources and information they need to sustain their involvement in the clinical trials ecosystem.
EQBMED is a collaborative partnership 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, funded by a $10 million grant from PhRMA.
EQBMED aims to increase the involvement of historically underserved communities in the research and development of medical treatments. The goal is to create a sustainable, replicable model that enhances diversity in clinical trials and creates clinical trial awareness access.
Part of EQBMED’s mission is building trust with the communities surrounding their clinical sites while respecting each site’s vision for integrating research into their practices.
The UAB MHERC plays a key role in connecting researchers with underrepresented populations in biomedical studies. The center focuses on reducing health disparities and advancing health equity by generating and dispersing knowledge from biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences.
With expertise in clinical research, the MHERC conducts trials in areas such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and women’s health.
“The MHERC has been building trusted community relationships for over 20 years. We are committed to addressing barriers to clinical trial participation by leveraging these trusted community partnerships, optimizing patient navigation, and amplifying community engagement through strategic initiatives,” said Mona Fouad, Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center Director. “With EQBMED’s support, we aim to optimize clinical trial patient navigation, hire staff that reflect the community, further strengthen community partnerships in research awareness and engagement.”
Health 360x has also partnered with EQBMED to expand to additional clinical trial facilities around Alabama. Currently, Alabama ranks 16th in clinical trials per capita, with 67 percent of trials happening in Birmingham. Expanding and supporting more clinical trial facilities in the state will provide Alabamians with more access to treatments at lower costs while also drawing funding to hospitals and providers.
