Abbott Launches New Initiative to Drive Diversity in Medical Research

 Abbott Launches New Initiative to Drive Diversity in Medical Research

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE -- Abbott (NYSE:
ABT) today announced the launch of a new initiative designed to help create a more
inclusive clinical trial ecosystem through new approaches to training, education,
and improving the clinical research infrastructure within the U.S. This effort builds on
Abbott’s commitment of engaging populations who have historically been under-represented in medical research and will improve health by increasing
access to innovative treatment options available within the trials process and
increasing insights around how different groups respond to new therapies.

People of diverse ethnic and ncultural backgrounds make up nearly 40% of the U.S.
population and are disproportionately impacted by chronic conditions like cardiovascular
disease and diabetes. Yet due to historical and societal barriers, these groups are still
heavily under-represented in clinical trials – at times representing just 5% of trial
enrollments. This gap compounds existing health equity challenges and limits options
for patients battling complex health conditions.

Abbott’s new initiative is focused on reducing barriers to access and building on
the company’s focus over the last several years of enhancing diversity within its own
clinical trials. The initiative also supports Abbott’s 2030 Sustainability Plan focused
on innovating for access and affordability, addressing health disparities and
removing barriers to support its purpose of helping people live fuller, healthier lives.

Abbott’s new initiative includes:

Funding and scholarships for future trial leaders
     Through new partnerships with the four HBCU medical schools, the Charles R. Drew
University of Medicine and Science, the Howard University College of Medicine,
Meharry Medical College, and the Morehouse School of Medicine, alongside the National Black Nurses Association and National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Abbott has
dedicated $5 million to fund nearly 300 scholarships over the next five years to support
the next generation of ethnically diverse nurses, doctors and researchers who will lead
and support future clinical trials. Increasing the diversity of doctors and nurses within
the clinical trial landscape will also help advance trust in clinical research in diverse
communities across the U.S.

Diversity in Research Medical
Advisory Board
     Made up of leading independent doctors, trialists and health advocates, Abbott’s new
Diversity in Research Medical Advisory Board (MAB) will counsel on methods to reduce
barriers to access within under-represented populations and communities of color
and provide feedback on how Abbott can continue to drive diversity enrollment within
select company clinical trials.

Dedicated internal funding to
improve access to Abbott trials
    Abbott will dedicate internal funding to improve access for women and under-represented communities within Abbott trials. This funding will support additional trial
sites for select Abbott trials, new investigator training opportunities and trial
components to eliminate barriers to participation such as transportation vouchers and
interpreters where needed.

Convening Industry for
Change
     Abbott will convene patient advocates, industry experts, trialists and a diverse set of physician thought leaders to develop and publish an open-source perspective to highlight key learnings around increasing clinical trial diversity across the health tech industry.

“The best health care product is a product that helps the most people, providing
the greatest benefit. As an industry, we need to set new standards to make sure that
our clinical trials remain representative of the people our products are designed to help,” said Robert B. Ford, president and chief executive officer, Abbott. “We want to continue to break down both existing and emerging barriers to participation in clinical trials so we can
help more people have greater access to therapies that have the potential to change lives.”

To learn more about Abbott’s new Diversity in Clinical Trials initiative visit inclusiveresearch.abbott.

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