A new report suggests that low participation among 18–24-year-olds in UK health research could lead to the development of drugs and therapies that are not suited to their needs.
Data from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) shows that while young adults make up around 8% of the UK population, only 4.4% of them participate in clinical studies. Experts point out that even though this age group is less affected by diseases like cancer or heart conditions, nearly half of Gen Z already live with a chronic physical or mental health condition.
The lack of participation means that future treatments may be designed primarily for older patients, potentially making them less effective or less safe for younger people.
According to youth health organizations such as the Association for Young People’s Health, the main barriers to participation include a lack of awareness about research opportunities, privacy concerns, and the fact that most studies aren’t designed with young adults in mind. In response, the NIHR has launched a campaign to boost youth involvement in health research and created tools to help match potential participants with ongoing studies.
However, experts describe the issue as a “catch-22.” Young people often don’t feel invested in their health enough to take part in medical research, while existing studies have been run in ways that fail to engage them.
A potential solution, researchers suggest, lies in better education and communication — raising awareness about the importance of clinical research from an early age, simplifying participation procedures, and tailoring outreach to young audiences. That could mean promoting opportunities through social media, using clear messaging about benefits, time commitments, and data privacy protections.