Federal Actions and Selected Non-Federal Practices to Facilitate Diversity of Patients

Government Accountability Office (GAO): Federal Actions and Selected Non-Federal Practices to Facilitate Diversity of Patients

The GAO released a report describing actions taken by federal agencies and non-federal cancer centers to facilitate enrollment of patients from diverse backgrounds in cancer clinical trials. The report found that the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Defense (DOD), and Veterans Affairs (VA) took actions that have the goal of increasing the proportion of patients from diverse backgrounds enrolled in federally funded cancer clinical trials. These efforts are focused on developing research collaborations, modifying research practices, reducing barriers to patient participation, and collecting and sharing data. VA expanded telehealth into clinical trials as a way to enable continued patients’ participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.