Community Benefits of Research: An Overview for Community Members

What is research?

Research is how doctors and scientists learn how well something might work to diagnose,
treat, or prevent disease or health conditions.

Why is research needed?

Looking at health conditions or illnesses that affect people from different communities is very important. Research can:

• Help doctors and scientists learn if a test or treatment is safe to use for people from specific backgrounds or experiences.
• Find out if something designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent a health condition is safe and works well.
• Help people find treatments that will work best for them.

We need your help to get answers to questions like:

• What barriers are keeping people from getting the health care they need?
• How long does a vaccine protect against a disease?
• What are the possible side effects of a treatment?

What are the benefits of taking part in research?

Volunteering to take part in scientific research can help us understand the best ways to prevent and treat illnesses. It is especially important to understand how prevention or treatment works for people from many different backgrounds.

You can help advance what we know about a health condition or illness.

Volunteers and their families may also be offered access to more resources, like different types of health care or other things used in the research study. Some studies also pay you for your time and travel.

Study results are shared with you and the people in your community.

You will learn about the health condition being researched and maybe other health issues too. You may also learn new things about how science works. You can share what your learn with family and friends.

Why should I volunteer for scientific research?

Some people experience higher rates of some health conditions than others. For example, people who are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian or Alaska Native are more affected by some illnesses and chronic conditions.  

More research is needed into ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat health conditions for these groups of people. We also need to know more about how some of these illnesses affect people over time.

Not everyone is affected in the same way. For example, one person might get a fever after getting a vaccine, and another might not. So, it is important to study males and females, people of different ages, and people with different medical conditions. Studies also need to include people who live in different communities and do different types of jobs. For example, some people might be at higher risk of certain health conditions due to workplace hazards, their access to health care, or other factors. 

Research can’t be done without volunteers like you.

How do I know I’ll be treated fairly?

Before a study begins, it is reviewed by a group of independent people who make sure it is appropriate and safe. Another separate group of researchers also watches the study and provides oversight to make sure volunteers stay protected. 

Researchers take special training to make sure that their studies:

• Are safe for volunteers.
• Are being done in an ethical way that respects and protects volunteers.
• Move science forward in meaningful ways.

For example, if new information comes out about the condition being studied that might affect your decision to take part in the study, the research team has to let you know about it.  

You can stop taking part in a study at any time and for any reason. Every research study has a phone number you can call if you have concerns about how volunteers are treated.