A new video sponsored by the Translational Research Institute is being used to help raise awareness among researchers about the inclusion of older adults in research. The five-minute video also has tips for helping researchers recruit more adults over age 65.
The video was produced in collaboration with the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, the Center for Health Literacy and Office of Communications and Marketing. It features Jennifer Vincenzo, Ph.D., MPH, PT, an associate professor in the UAMS College of Health Professions and a TRI KL2 Research Career Development scholar.
Vincenzo said adults over 65 are often overlooked or excluded from research, jeopardizing efforts to ensure that new drugs and other prescription health interventions are safe and effective for this population.
Older adults are excluded in 20% of clinical trials, and nearly half of trials have eligibility criteria that disproportionately impact older adults, based on an analysis of 109 clinical trials.
For example, although heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., over 50% of clinical trials of potential treatments for ischemic heart disease excluded patients over ages 75 or 80.
Similarly, because of age limits and medical exclusions, older adults have been prohibited from participation in more than 50% of COVID-19 clinical trials and up to 100% of vaccine trials.