Know what to expect

Health research is the systematic study of human health and illness to understand diseases, develop new treatments, improve prevention, and enhance overall well-being.

Health research involves various types, broadly categorized into basic, clinical (patient-focused), and epidemiological (population-focused).  

• Basic research is curiosity-driven studies exploring fundamental biological processes, often using cells or animals, to build knowledge for future treatments.
• Clinical research focuses on human subjects to test interventions (drugs, devices, procedures) or understand diseases better.
• Epidemiological studies health patterns in populations to identify risk factors, causes, and effective public health strategies.
  

Research conducted with human participants (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. 

1. Patient-oriented research includes:
   • Mechanisms of human disease
   • Therapeutic interventions
   • Clinical trials
   • Development of new technologies
2. Epidemiologic and behavioral studies
3. Outcomes research and health services research

Excluded: In-vitro studies which use human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual. 

Clinical Trials - A research study in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions (which may include placebo or other control) to evaluate the effects of those interventions on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes.

Observational Studies - Unlike clinical trials, observational studies don't assign treatments. Instead, researchers simply track participants' existing health and habits to gather real-world data on how diseases develop and how safe certain lifestyles truly are.

UB researches a vast range of conditions, focusing heavily on neurological disorders (Alzheimer's, MS, movement disorders, epilepsy), infectious diseases (HIV, viruses, drug-resistant bacteria), diabetes and related complications (kidney, eye), cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases (COPD, sleep apnea), and women's health (osteoporosis, heart disease), alongside pediatric issues like cystic fibrosis, rare genetic disorders, and asthma, utilizing AI and translational science for real-world impact. 

Clinical trials have four main phases (Phase I, II, III, IV) to test a new treatment's safety and effectiveness, progressing from small groups to large populations, with Phase I focusing on safety and dosage in few people, Phase II on effectiveness in more patients, Phase III comparing it to standard care in large groups, and Phase IV monitoring long-term effects after approval.

Participating in a clinical trial or study can offer many potential benefits, including early access to new treatments, helping others, and contributing to medical advancements.

Search for available studies at UB.

When discussing with your doctor, you can ask about  the study's purpose, duration, and your responsibilities, potential risks and benefits (including side effects vs. standard care), details about treatments and tests, costs and insurance coverage, how your privacy is protected, and what happens if you need to withdraw, ensuring you understand your other care options and who manages your care during the trial.

Yes, privacy is protected in clinical studies through strict laws like HIPAA, ethical guidelines, and specific practices like "de-identification" (using codes/numbers instead of names) and "informed consent", ensuring data is kept confidential, secure, and used only as agreed, though challenges remain with digital trials and sponsors. Participants have rights to access and control their data, but access by others (even the participant) may be limited until trial completion to protect study integrity. 

It's important for diverse racial and ethnic groups to join health research  to ensure treatments are safe and effective for everyone, as responses to medicine vary. This promotes health equity, helps identify disparities, builds trust, and makes sure medical advancements benefit the entire population, not just a narrow demographic, leading to better health outcomes for all by addressing unique biological, environmental, and social factors. 

No, you don't have to be sick to join a clinical trial! Many studies need healthy volunteers to establish safety, dosages, and compare results with sick patients, playing a crucial role in developing new treatments.

A healthy participant in clinical research is someone with no significant known health problems.

Depending on what the research is focusing on, it can vary.

Many studies at UB pay participants for their time, effort, and study-related expenses, though not all do.

Participants generally do not pay to be in  health research. Costs for tests and treatments are usually covered by the study sponsor.

Yes, you absolutely can withdraw from a health research study at any time without penalty or negative consequences. Simply inform the research team,  your consent form should detail the withdrawal process, but the core principle is your right to stop participation whenever you choose.

Health research has built-in safety measures to minimize risks, but it always involves some level of uncertainty because it tests the unknown, with potential risks ranging from minor discomfort  to serious side effects.