Title: Expressing support for prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials for therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines for COVID-19.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that federal agencies should take appropriate actions to (1) ensure meaningful engagement of communities of color in the conduct of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) research and participation in clinical trials, and (2) improve equitable access to safe and effective vaccines.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1125 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1125

  Expressing support for prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity in 
 clinical trials for therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines for COVID-19.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 18, 2020

 Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Barragan, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. 
Lee of California, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Ms. Norton, Mr. Payne, 
 Mr. Sires, Mr. Trone, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Bera, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Sewell of 
 Alabama, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Meeks, Mr. San Nicolas, Ms. 
    Johnson of Texas, and Ms. Jackson Lee) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity in 
 clinical trials for therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines for COVID-19.

Whereas the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 and has claimed over 
        183,000 American lives as of September 1, 2020, according to the Centers 
        for Disease Control and Prevention;
Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of 
        color;
Whereas African Americans are nearly twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than 
        White Americans;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are more than five times more likely 
        to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than White Americans;
Whereas African Americans and Hispanic or Latino Americans are more than four 
        and one-half times as likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than White 
        Americans;
Whereas Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are 10 times more likely to be 
        hospitalized for COVID-19 than White Americans;
Whereas racial and ethnic communities have historically been underrepresented in 
        clinical trials, and factors cited as explaining this 
        underrepresentation include social and financial barriers as well as 
        mistrust in research participation stemming from historical 
        discriminatory and abusive practices; and
Whereas surveys show skepticism among communities of color about the safety of a 
        potential COVID-19 vaccine despite vaccination rates that are typically 
        as high as those of other communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
Federal agencies should--
            (1) take appropriate actions to ensure meaningful 
        engagement of communities of color in the conduct of COVID-19 
        research and participation in clinical trials for COVID-19 
        diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines;
            (2) take steps to codevelop with communities of color 
        strategies that address and resolve financial and social 
        barriers that may prevent the participation of racial and 
        ethnic communities in clinical trials; and
            (3) partner with community groups, faith-based 
        organizations, and health care facilities to conduct outreach 
        to communities of color and improve equitable access to safe 
        and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are licensed by the Food 
        and Drug Administration.
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