Transcript:

DR. RODGERS: Clinical trials are at the heart of advances in health and medicine. They look for better ways to prevent, detect, and treat disease, and improve the health of current and future generations.

You – as a volunteer in a clinical trial – can play an important part in advancing human health, for yourself and others.

Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.

Each year, doctors and scientists across the nation conduct research into some of the most chronic, costly, and consequential diseases and conditions in the nation. And to make progress, they rely on the help of volunteers — people like you and me.

Clinical trials rely on volunteers with certain diseases or medical conditions, and some studies need healthy people. It’s important to include volunteers who represent the people most affected by a disease or illness. Race, ethnicity, age, gender, and physical sizes and abilities can all play roles in the risks and outcomes for many treatments.

Volunteer safety is especially important. Guidelines and a review board are in place to make sure studies are safe.

By volunteering in a clinical trial, you can help your community. As a scientist, I’ve led clinical studies, and I’ve also volunteered to participate in studies myself. And you can, too.

Talk to your health care provider. She or he can share more information and help you decide if a clinical trial is right for you.

I hope you’ll consider joining a clinical trial. For more information, please visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov.