The Skin of Color Society’s Meeting the Challenge Summit, 2022

Abstract

ImportanceClinical trials remain the cornerstone for determining the safety and efficacy of an intervention. A diverse participant pool in dermatology clinical trials is critical to ensure that results are generalizable among the patient population who will ultimately depend on the efficacy of the intervention. The Skin of Color Society hosted the inaugural Meeting the Challenge Summit: Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials in Washington, DC, from June 10 to 11, 2022. The summit was an interactive and collaborative effort to advance discussions regarding the need for broader inclusion of racial and ethnic minority patients in dermatology clinical trials.ObservationsThe summit focused on 3 principal areas: (1) understanding the current clinical trials landscape; (2) breaking down patient, clinician, industry, and regulatory barriers; and (3) effecting change through a diversity-focused strategy. The program hosted thought-provoking panel talks and discussions with various stakeholder groups, including a keynote presentation from the family of Henrietta Lacks.Conclusions and RelevancePanel discussions and insightful presentations from physicians, industry leaders, community trailblazers, and patients fostered new collaborations. The summit provided recommendations and suggested strategies for future initiatives designed to increase the representation of minority individuals in dermatology clinical trials.

JAMA Dermatology—The Year in Review, 2023

“…2023 Was another exceptional year for JAMA Dermatology . The editorial team evaluated a steady number of article submissions (Table). A total of 956 of 2756 submissions were research articles.…”

“…Recognition of journal publications by the news and social media is also a valuable form of dissemination. Altmetric scores highlighted the innovative, multidisciplinary work of the Skin of Color Society to improve the quality of clinical trials in dermatology. The randomized clinical trial on a self-help intervention for body-focused repetitive behaviors also garnered considerable interest, especially in the lay press …”

Error in Figure 1

“…In the Special Communication titled “The Skin of Color Society’s Meeting the Challenge Summit, 2022: Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials Proceedings,” published online May 24, 2023, an incorrect version of Figure 1 was included. This article has been corrected.…”