Research Symposium

BIO

Hi! I’m Darwin Rodriguez, a third-year undergraduate student at Florida State University majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Originally from El Salvador and Fort Lauderdale, FL, I am passionate about equity, intersectionality, and representation in research and policy. My academic interests focus on expanding access and inclusion for historically marginalized communities, particularly through public policy, community development, and research practices. As part of a collaborative research project, I've contributed to a scoping review that identifies the existing barriers and examines strategies for improving inclusion and diversity in clinical trials, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals. I hope this work will inform more equitable research practices and better health outcomes for underrepresented groups. After graduation, I plan to pursue graduate studies in urban and regional planning or public administration, with a focus on addressing systemic inequalities in areas like housing, healthcare, and infrastructure through inclusive, community-centered approaches.

Enhancing Inclusion in Clinical Trials: A Scoping Review of Strategies for LGBTQIA+ People and People Living with HIV

Abstract

Including diverse populations in research is crucial for addressing the underrepresentation of marginalized groups in clinical trials, which can lead to healthcare disparities and less effective treatments for diverse populations. By identifying barriers and strategies for better inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals and people living with HIV (PLWH), the study aims to inform policy and guidance for practice that fosters more equitable representation and improve health outcomes for these communities. A lack of LGBTQIA+ diversity in clinical trials also negatively impacts individuals living with HIV as gay, bisexual, and men who have sexual intercourse with other men are more likely to contract HIV; however, people of any gender or sexuality may contract HIV. People living with HIV experience increased comorbidities such as pain, sleep disruption, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline, among others. Yet, PLWH is often excluded from clinical trials addressing treatments for these conditions. The underlying goal of this project is to perform a comprehensive scoping review of existing research on inclusion and diversity in clinical trials, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community and PLWH From this, the goal is to help summarize potential strategies for improving representation and highlight gaps in the literature. Improving clinical trial diversity will ultimately improve access to treatments and technologies that improve the health of LGBTQIA+ people and PLWH.

Keywords: LGBT, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ, HIV, AIDS, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion