Racial and Ethnic Differences in Peripheral Neuropathy Risk Factors Among United States Adults.

The inclusion of members of minoritized racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender communities and populations in research is critical to ensure a comprehensive understanding of health and disease progression among diverse population groups and to promote health equity []. However, to date, Latine communities remain significantly underrepresented in research [–]. Although Latine persons comprise 19% of the United States population, fewer than 8% of research participants in the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trials and biorepositories and 4% in drug trials run by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are Latine [, ]. While the data are limited because most studies do not collect and/or accurately measure information on sexual orientation and gender identity [], Latine lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons are further underrepresented in research [, ], which limits understanding of health and disease and translatability of discoveries across population groups, minimizes the population-level benefits from advances in health that result from such research, and perpetuates the health disparities that affect them. Latines are willing to participate in biomedical research [, , ]; however, there are myriad barriers that limit their participation and retention in research. At the structural level, for example, there is often a lack of Spanish-language study materials for Spanish-speaking Latines, and existing materials may not be at appropriate readability and comprehension levels. Further, there may be limited Spanish-speaking and culturally responsive research staff, and when such staff exist, they may not have the training or skills to effectively engage Latines. Staff also may also have implicit biases that prevent engagement of Latines. Further, limited transportation, lack of health insurance and healthcare, and limited interactions with and understanding of the US medical system may further prevent engagement in research [, –].