Are ethnic minorities excluded from clinical research

BACKGROUND: Under-representation and limited participation of ethnic minorities in clinical research is a source of concern. METHODS: We examined the responses of researchers to the question regarding translation provision for ethnic minorities in 43 successive research applications made to Bolton Local Research Ethics Committee between April 2002 and March 2003. FINDINGS: Translation services were provided in only ten applications. Reasons for omission included lack of funding, a small, student or pilot project, difficult analysis or invalidation of results and a perception of a low chance of encountering ethnic minorities. Eight gave no justification. INTERPRETATION: Applicants and grant-giving bodies must fully provide for translation facilities in all future research studies, in order to ensure that research evidence made available to policy makers reflects the diversity of our multicultural population.