The definition of clinical trial diversity must include disabled people – Stat (Liz Beatty | August 2023)
In 2018, 17.7% of Australians lift with disability. This number is likely to increase as Australia’s population increases. Purely as a numbers game, researchers can ill-afford excluding these people. For many trials, particular experiences, comorbidities, and vulnerabilities make including people with disability necessary. Historically, they have been excluded to avoid complexity and risk. But experience shows that people with disability are happy to participate. They want to contribute, and in some cases, it might be the only way for them do I access access treatment. The proposed revision to Section 4 of the National Statement urges researchers and research ethics review bodies to include these traditionally excluded groups. It may require accommodation/modification and mitigation but completeness, respect, agency, and self-determination are required to introduce the principles of justice, respect for persons and merit.