Dr. Rhea Rogers: Clinical trials offer early access to new treatments
Experts argue that older adults are essential participants in clinical research because their bodies process medication differently than younger patients.
By Jonathan Reed ·
One in five older adults is frequently excluded from clinical trials, a gap that gerontologist “Sam” Cradduck describes as leaving this demographic walking blind.
The statistic highlights a critical issue in medical research where many conditions affect older populations more often, yet they remain underrepresented in study data. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board certified physician, told listeners on the Aging Untold program that this exclusion prevents researchers from understanding how new treatments affect aging bodies.
Rogers said the primary shift needed is in how people view the purpose of these studies. She argued that participants should stop asking if a trial will help them personally and instead ask what scientific question the trial is trying to answer. This perspective, Rogers explained, clarifies the goal of the research and helps individuals determine if the study aligns with their health objectives.
Many patients view clinical trials as a last resort option for when other treatments have failed. Rogers countered this view by stating that trials provide early access to tomorrow’s medicines, devices, and therapies. These advancements often remain unavailable to the general public for years after approval.
Amy O’Rourke, an aging expert, noted that older adults are often labeled as evidence free because they are rarely included in studies. She explained that while participants may receive a placebo or the active drug, the experience often brings hope and a sense of community contribution. O’Rourke said clients in local trial groups also gained access to social workers and community resources they previously did not know existed.
Cradduck emphasized the biological necessity for including older adults. She stated that medication metabolizes differently in the older community compared to the younger community. Without this specific data, doctors lack the information needed to prescribe safely. Cradduck also addressed the common fear of being a guinea pig, noting that by the time a study reaches the final phase, the treatment has been tested repeatedly.
Rogers advised patients to search for studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, consult with their physicians, or look at academic centers that run disease specific trials. O’Rourke added that the National Institutes of Health maintains a list of trials and identifies which ones compensate participants. Some studies also cover costs like gas or provide direct payment to participants.
Cradduck concluded that new medicines cannot be approved without clinical trials. She stated that if the medical community wants new medications and new hope for aging patients, it must include those patients in the process of developing them. The experts agreed that understanding the specific goals of a trial is the most important step before deciding to participate.
