Why 41% of Sponsors Are Overhauling Trial Diversity

41% of life sciences organizations are prioritizing trial-site diversity to meet new mandates.

Boston MA -- September 21: The FDA's Diversity Action Plan mandates have fundamentally shifted clinical operations.

Data from the Women's Health Infrastructure Report 2026 indicates that sponsors can no longer treat demographic representation as a retrospective goal.

While 41% are actively expanding diversity efforts, nearly a quarter of the market (24%) admits to having no significant planned changes to their trial strategies.

"We need to stop treating women's health as a sub-analysis and start designing studies where it is the primary focus. That shift alone would change how we collect data, how we power studies, and ultimately, how we translate findings into care."

Katie Baca-Motes

CEO, GSD Health Research

This finding represents just one of dozens of insights uncovered through the Women's Health Infrastructure Report 2026, a cross-sector study bringing together perspectives from health plans, providers, employers, clinicians, life sciences organisations and innovators.

The full report features detailed findings, expert commentary, benchmark data and practical implications for healthcare leaders looking to understand where women's health is heading next.

Lead Research Partner