Researchers, epidemiologists and pharmaceutical giants have spent the past couple of years looking for ways to more effectively prevent COVID infection and better treat those who do become infected. With the virus once again surging, that effort is front and center.
But there’s a critical flaw in the process — and as obvious as it is, it has evaded correction for decades. Put simply, clinical trials, even the largest and most well-funded ones, seldom come close to representing the diversity of the society meant to benefit from them.
