May 11, 2023 – Abbott announced a series of new programs within its multi-million-dollar initiative to increase diversity in clinical trials and improve care among under-represented populations. The company says that the new additions to Abbott’s Diversity in Clinical Trials initiative build on the partnerships, scholarships, and the focus on diversified participants in the company’s own clinical trials during the initiative’s first year.
The latest programs include the launch of a new initiative with the Norton Healthcare Foundation to build and implement new models of sustainable clinical research alongside the Institute for Health Equity, a Part of Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Ky.; a new training program for clinical research coordinators in partnership with Barnett International; and a newly-created Diversity in Research Office at Abbott focused on ensuring diverse representation in clinical trials.
Through a new five-year commitment, Abbott will work alongside the Institute for Health Equity at Norton Healthcare to build research program models that can be implemented by historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and clinics serving under-represented communities so they don’t need to design and develop their own research programs from the ground up.
The first pilot project stemming from the new grant will develop a new research center in Louisville, Ky., focused on helping more African American patients access clinical trial opportunities. The project will specifically support patients in historically redlined areas of Louisville. “
Alongside new external partnerships and programs, the company has established a Diversity in Research Office to further Abbott’s focus on driving diversity in the company’s clinical trials and improving access to care among under-represented populations. The new Diversity in Research Office will be led by Jennifer Jones-McMeans, Ph.D., divisional vice president of global clinical affairs for Abbott’s vascular business, and Aparna Ahuja, M.D., divisional vice president for medical, clinical, and scientific affairs, Infectious Disease, for Abbott’s rapid diagnostics business. The office will be responsible for ensuring that research efforts include diversity plans, key performance goals and foster collaboration across Abbott, the industry and regulatory bodies.