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

IV 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. BARRAGA´N, 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) sub- mitted 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 im- pacted communities of color; Whereas African Americans are nearly twice as likely to die from COVID–19 than White Americans; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:35 Sep 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1125.IH HR1125 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 1125 IH 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 Ameri- cans 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 fi- nancial barriers as well as mistrust in research participa- tion 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 Rep- 1 resentatives that Federal agencies should— 2 (1) take appropriate actions to ensure meaning- 3 ful engagement of communities of color in the con- 4 duct of COVID–19 research and participation in 5 clinical trials for COVID–19 diagnostics, therapies, 6 and vaccines; 7 (2) take steps to codevelop with communities of 8 color strategies that address and resolve financial 9 and social barriers that may prevent the participa- 10 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:35 Sep 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1125.IH HR1125 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 1125 IH tion of racial and ethnic communities in clinical 1 trials; and 2 (3) partner with community groups, faith-based 3 organizations, and health care facilities to conduct 4 outreach to communities of color and improve equi- 5 table access to safe and effective COVID–19 vac- 6 cines that are licensed by the Food and Drug Ad- 7 ministration. 8 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:35 Sep 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR1125.IH HR1125 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS