Low Participation in Medical Research Leaves Young Adults Underrepresented, Potentially Risking Future Healthcare
A recent analysis reveals a significant underrepresentation of young adults aged 18-24 in vital health research, raising concerns about the future effectiveness adn inclusivity of medical advancements. Despite comprising 8% of England’s population, this age group accounted for only 4.4% of participants in studies supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) research delivery network between April 2021 and March 2024.
The data shows that 32,879 individuals within this age bracket participated in 5,042 studies – an average of just seven young people per study. this contrasts sharply with the participation rate of those aged 85 and over, who represent only 2% of the population but made up 4.2% of research participants, with 32,031 individuals signing up over the same three-year period.
Dr. Esther Mukuka, NIHR director for research inclusion, emphasizes a lack of awareness among young people regarding opportunities to contribute to health research. ”Young people frequently enough don’t realize that they can and should take part in health research,” she stated. She clarified that research extends beyond treatments for serious illnesses, encompassing the management of common conditions like diabetes and the progress of mental health support services within the NHS.
Young adults face unique health challenges, including rising rates of diabetes, obesity, asthma, autism, learning difficulties, epilepsy, eating disorders, and various mental health conditions. Without their participation, Dr. Mukuka warns, “treatments and services developed as a result will not reflect their needs.” She stresses the rapid pace of scientific discovery and the necessity for healthcare systems to adapt, ensuring future treatments are both representative and effective.
The NIHR is actively working to address this imbalance through a public campaign and a UK-wide volunteer registry (https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/) designed to connect individuals with relevant research opportunities. Participation isn’t limited to those with existing health conditions; studies often require comparison groups of healthy volunteers (https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/news-and-features/healthy-volunteers).
Dr. Mukuka encourages participation, highlighting that even simple contributions like completing surveys or providing saliva samples can be impactful. “Think of it as investing in the kind of care you’d want for yourself, your friends, and your family,” she said.
Further underscoring the need for diverse depiction, Dr.Wendy Macdowall, a health research expert at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, notes that women and ethnic minorities are also underrepresented in research. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how interventions affect different groups, not just if they work, to avoid exacerbating existing health inequities.
