Why Real-World Data Beyond Clinical Trials Matters, Especially for Black Communities

Real-world data (RWD) is becoming increasingly important for understanding how well medications and treatments work in everyday settings, especially for diverse populations like Black communities. It offers valuable insights beyond the controlled environment of clinical trials. In a Facebook Live town hall with patient advocate Ricki Fairley, Dr. Lynn McRoy and breast surgeon Dr. Monique Gary, BDO shares how RWD plays a crucial role in saving the lives of Black women. What exactly is Real-World Data (RWD)? Real-world data (RWD) is information about health and health care collected outside of tightly controlled clinical trials. It comes from various sources that reflect everyday medical practices. Here are some examples of RWD: Electronic health records (EHRs): This is the digital version of a patient’s medical chart, containing information like diagnoses, medications, allergies, and treatment history. Medical claims data: This data comes from insurance companies and includes details about medical services provided, diagnoses, and costs. Patient registries: These are databases that track specific diseases or conditions, providing insights into long-term outcomes and treatment effectiveness. Patient-reported outcomes: This data comes directly from patients and reflects their experiences with a particular treatment or condition, including quality of life and side effects. Fixing the Underrepresentation Problem...