So you’ve finally gotten some answers about why your sleep has been so off. You talked to your provider, maybe you watched a few videos on Carepoint, and you’ve tried all the standard stuff—a new pillow, cutting back on caffeine, even turning your phone off at night (well, sometimes). But let’s be real. You’re still not feeling like yourself, and you’re wondering what comes next.

Maybe someone mentioned a clinical trial, and your first thought was, “Wait, you want me to be a guinea pig?”

Let’s pause right there. It’s time to change that mindset.

Clinical trials are not unregulated experiments. They are a valid and powerful option for women who want healthcare options and solutions that actually work for them. For Black women, who are often overlooked, dismissed, or misdiagnosed in the healthcare system, clinical trials offer a helpful path. They are a way for us to be included, studied, and supported as people who deserve to be at the center of medical progress.

Changing the Narrative: Clinical Trials in a New Light

For many in the Black community, clinical trials understandably carry the weight of history—legacies of medical exploitation like the Tuskegee syphilis study and unethical experiments on Black women’s bodies have left deep scars and seeded mistrust. Those harms cannot be ignored. But it’s equally important to know that today, clinical trials operate under strict safeguards designed to prevent such abuses from ever happening again. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and federal agencies like the FDA and NIH oversee every study, requiring rigorous protections for participants’ safety, privacy, and informed consent at every stage.

A clinical trial is designed to answer one key question: “Is this new treatment, procedure, or strategy effective and safe?”

Participants in clinical trials are not test subjectss—they’re valued partners in advancing science.  Their involvement drives the discovery of better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions that disproportionately affect our communities, including sleep apnea, insomnia, and anxiety-related sleep disorders.

When you participate, you aren’t being tested on; you’re collaborating with researchers. When Black women are at the table, the outcomes are stronger, more inclusive, and more accurate. This is how we push health equity forward.

Why Your Participation Matters So Much

The numbers don’t lie. Black Americans make up 13.6% of the U.S. population, but represent fewer than 5% of clinical trial participants. When you look at sleep research specifically, the gap is even more glaring: Black people make up less than 3% of subjects in federally funded sleep studies, despite facing higher rates of sleep disorders like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

OSA, in particular, is up to two times more prevalent in Black individuals compared to white individuals. Yet, Black women are significantly more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

This means that new treatments and therapies are often approved for public use without ever being tested on people who look like us. And that’s not just unfair—it’s dangerous. When a treatment isn’t tested on a diverse population, there’s no way to know if it will be as safe or effective for everyone.

When you participate in a clinical trial, you help:

• Ensure new therapies work for your body and your lived experience.
• Close the gap in health outcomes for Black communities.
• Push researchers to ask better questions and design studies that are more inclusive.
• Build long-term data that includes our genetics, biology, culture, and specific conditions.

This isn’t just about research; it’s about representation. Your participation can help shape the future of medicine for all of us.

Ask Yourself: Could a Clinical Trial Be Right for Me?

If you’re even a little curious, take a moment and reflect on these questions:

• Have your sleep issues persisted even after trying standard, first-line treatments?
• Are you looking for more personalized options or new approaches to managing your symptoms?
• Are you open to contributing to a future where Black women’s sleep quality  isn’t an afterthought but a priority?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, exploring a clinical trial might be worth your time. Participating in research helps shape a future where care for our communities is inclusive, evidence-based, and accessible.

This isn’t about pressure. It’s about access—and you deserve options.

👉 Learn more and sign up for a WeConnect clinical trial

Ready to Act? Here’s How to Connect

If you’re thinking, “Okay, I’m listening. What do I do now?” we’ve got you.

Go to takeda.healthinherhue.com.

That’s your personalized hub where you’ll find:

• A clear breakdown of what clinical trials are and how to participate.
• Information about WeConnect, the platform that connects you to relevant studies.
• The trial sign-up button to express interest or ask follow-up questions.

You will also get access to culturally responsive resources to help you feel empowered and supported at every stage of your decision-making process.

Final Thoughts: Your Voice Is a Force

Choosing to explore a clinical trial is a deeply personal decision. It’s not just brave—it’s a generous act that can have a ripple effect for generations to come.

When you take this step, you are saying: “I deserve answers. I deserve care that fits me. And I deserve a healthcare system that truly sees my community.”

Whether you decide to sign up today or simply continue to ask questions, know this—you are not alone. There’s a whole community standing with you, ready to build a future where Black women’s health is no longer secondary.