First, and importantly, the reluctance of some racial/ethnic minority communities to participate in genetic studies cannot be ignored. Potential solutions could include greater outreach to communities, distribution of relevant information about the potential value of genetic studies, and the engagement of community members and leaders in research. Best practices for community engagement are developing, including those that maximize the benefits and reduce the possible burdens for participants. These practices may vary across participant groups or over the course of a study 13. Greater inclusion of diverse racial/ethnic population groups in genetic research is important for ensuring that the benefits of new knowledge and technology are equally shared. This has particular relevance for pharmacotherapy studies and their potential for advancements in the prevention and treatment of AUD, but also for broader personalized or precision medicine approaches that recognize the influence on health of differences in genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors 13. However, since racial/ethnic minority groups tend to reside in certain geographic areas and are not evenly distributed across the U.S., some investigators will have better opportunities to work with diverse
