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CORDIS

REpresentative Clinical Research - ADvancing Inclusivity in Europe

Project description

Inclusive European clinical studies for under-represented populations

Clinical studies (CS) have faced challenges in recruiting and retaining participants from diverse demographic and socio-economic backgrounds. This contributes to scientific knowledge gaps and health inequalities. The EU-funded READI project aims to make CS more inclusive for underserved and under-represented communities by transforming the CS ecosystem holistically. The project will provide essential tools and training to improve the recruitment and retention of underserved and under-represented patients in CS by connecting key stakeholders. Additionally, it will develop a sustainable, patient-centred digital platform to enhance access to CS information and foster connections within communities. The project will conduct at least four clinical studies to test the effectiveness of these tools and methods.

Objective

The public-private partnership, READI, seeks to help clinical studies (CS) to finally serve the complete general population, and therefore more patients. To date CS have struggled to recruit and retain participants from diverse backgrounds and communities, such as marginalized or disadvantaged groups (e.g. sexual, gender, age, cultural, and socioeconomic cohorts). The resulting knowledge gaps entrench or increase health disparities.

The READI consortium strives to tackle these challenges by fostering a more cohesive and integrated CS ecosystem for underserved (US) and underrepresented (UR) communities. It will actively connect all key stakeholders who can facilitate access to a wide range of patient populations. It will provide these stakeholders with the necessary tools, training programs, and approaches essential for the recruitment and retention of US/UR patients in CS.

In addition, it will design, build and implement a digital platform which is patient-centred, sustainable, open and innovative. This will foster improved access to CS information and READI tools, while also supporting patient connections with the created communities. Finally, at least 4 CS will be used for testing the effectiveness of the developed tools and approaches.

READI has a three-fold objective: to help US/UR communities overcome CS participation barriers (e.g. lack of information/awareness, mistrust, poor communication, geographic limitations, prejudice), which in turn will improve research of many diseases and conditions, preventative care and treatment effectiveness in different demographic groups, and better serve society.

READI’s success will draw from its interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder, consortium composition of 88 organizations from 20 countries, with key expertise in drug development and CS (design and operations), engagement strategies for US/UR populations, digital platform development, training and capability building initiatives, effective communication and dissemination, long-term sustainability, ethics and regulatory affairs.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-IHI-2023-04-two-stage

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Coordinator

SERVICIO MADRILENO DE SALUD
Net EU contribution
€ 1 250 625,00
Address
Paseo De la Castellana, 280
28046 MADRID
Spain
Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 5 863 035,00

Participants (62)

Partners (26)