Millions of young people could miss out on safe and effective treatments because too few take part in medical research, experts warn.
Data from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) shows 18–24-year-olds make up 8% of England’s population but only 4.4% of medical trial participants. Between 2021 and 2024, just 32,879 young adults took part in more than 5,000 studies.
Kirsty Blenkins of the Association for Young People’s Health said trials often focus on older adults, making treatments “unsafe or ineffective” for younger patients. Barriers include low awareness, limited outreach, and privacy concerns.
Dr Esther Mukuka of the NIHR urged more participation, noting research shapes care for everyday conditions like asthma and mental health. The NIHR’s new volunteer registry aims to make signing up easier.
Experts warn that unless Gen Z engages in research now, the next generation of treatments may not meet their needs or reflect the diversity of those who rely on them.
