This Black Dermatologist Wants You to Join a Psoriasis Clinical Trial

Dr. Chesahna Kindred is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Kindred Hair & Skin Center in Mariottsville, Maryland. Because dermatological conditions often present differently on melanin-rich skin, the Black patients that Kindred treats often face challenges unaddressed by clinical research trials. Black patients account for just 5 percent of all clinical trial participants. In an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care, Dr. Kindred explained that some members of the Black community historically mistrust the medical industry. This is partly due to the 1932 Tuskegee Experiment—in which Black men with syphilis were observed over forty years, but not treated for the disease. This resulted in severe health problems and even death—but trust remains a concern even today.  Black Americans trust Black doctors more For example, Black patients are more likely to bring up health concerns to their Black doctors and tend to better respect the opinions of doctors of the same race. Beyond that, though Black patients remain underrepresented in clinical trials. Lack of diversity in clinical studies can cause misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of skin conditions on melanin-rich skin. In the example of psoriasis, this can lead to the overuse of treatments like topical steroids that could damage...