Immediate Release

Media Contact: 

Adjoa Kyerematen

akyerematen@nmqf.org

202-220-8505 

National Minority Quality Forum Launches Lupus Clinical Trial Education Toolkit Featuring DMV Trial Database During Lupus Awareness Month

Washington D.C. (May 7, 2026) — The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) today announced the release of its Lupus Clinical Trial Education Toolkit, a new resource developed through its Beyond Lupus program to support patients, caregivers, and communities in understanding and accessing clinical trials. The launch coincides with Lupus Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and advancing equitable care for those affected by lupus.

At the center of the toolkit is a Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV)-based lupus clinical trial database, designed to make it easier for individuals in the DMV to find and connect with clinical trials in their local communities. This database serves as the cornerstone of the resource—moving beyond education alone to provide a direct, practical pathway for participation. By bringing real opportunities into one accessible place, the toolkit helps bridge the gap between awareness and action.

In addition to the database, the toolkit includes comprehensive, plain-language information about lupus clinical trials, including what participation involves, patient rights and protections, and how research contributes to improved treatments. It also addresses issues of trust and transparency, while emphasizing the importance of Black representation in clinical trials, given the disproportionate burden of lupus in Black communities.

“Clinical trials don’t just shape the future of medicine—they determine who that future works for,” said Taylarr Lopez, Health Communications Director at NMQF. “That’s why the centerpiece of this toolkit is the DMV-based lupus clinical trial database. We intentionally built it to make clinical trials easier to find, understand, and access—because for too long, patients have been left without clear pathways to participation. This database puts real opportunities at people’s fingertips, connecting them to studies in their own communities and helping them take informed, confident steps toward care. When access becomes this direct, equity becomes possible.” 

Recognizing the urgent need to engage the next generation of patients—particularly those most impacted by lupus—NMQF is also prioritizing outreach to younger Black women through this resource. The toolkit was designed not only to inform, but to resonate with audiences who have historically been underrepresented in clinical research.

“Tapping into younger Black women is critical to changing the future of lupus care,” said Adjoa Kyerematen, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for NMQF. “Too often, they’re navigating symptoms, diagnosis, and care decisions without clear, culturally relevant information about clinical trials. With this toolkit—and especially the trial database—we’re meeting them where they are, providing a resource that is accessible, relatable, and actionable. This is about making sure they not only see themselves in the conversation, but have real opportunities to participate in and shape the future of lupus research.”

Through the Beyond Lupus program, NMQF continues to prioritize culturally responsive, community-centered approaches to health communication—ensuring that patients have the tools, knowledge, and access needed to make informed decisions about their care.

To learn more and explore the Lupus Clinical Trial Education Toolkit, visit https://info.nmqf.org/lupus-clinical-trial-education-toolkit. 

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About the National Minority Quality Forum

Founded in 1998, National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a United States-based, health care research, education and advocacy organization whose mission is to reduce patient risk and advance health equity by assuring optimal care for all. The mission is to reduce patient risk of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, disabilities, and death, while also promoting high-quality, long lives, particularly for the most vulnerable. NMQF utilizes data and research to support and mobilize healthcare organizations, leaders, policymakers, and patients in advocating for optimal care for every individual, especially those in minoritized communities. For more information, please visit http://www.nmqf.org.