Best Strategies to Recruit and Enroll Elderly Blacks into Clinical and Biomedical Research

Historically, African Americans have been disproportionately underrepresented in clinical trials. To address this gap, the authors analyzed recruitment data to identify the most effective strategies for enrolling older African Americans in clinical trials. Data used in these analyses were obtained from 3,266 potential volunteers, ages 50 or older, who completed a Mini-Mental State Examination as part of recruitment and screening for various clinical studies on Alzheimer's disease.

The findings indicate men and women in the sample were predominantly recruited through health fairs and advertisements tailored to their health needs and interests. Conversely, men were engaged through family referrals and people they knew, indicating a need for trust in their decision to engage study personnel and/or participate in clinical trials.

Graham LA, Ngwa J, Ntekim O, et al. Best strategies to recruit and enroll elderly blacks into clinical and biomedical research. Clinical Interventions in Aging 2017 Dec 22;13:43-50.