Fundamental Causes of Barriers to Participation in Alzheimer's Clinical Research Among African Americans

This study examined the roles of race and culture in the attitudes and beliefs of African Americans about participating in clinical research. Five focus groups were conducted with 44 African-American men and women (aged 50 and over) in a western U.S. state. Participants were asked scripted questions regarding their knowledge and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease and their feelings about participating in clinical research. Themes that emerged were: experiences of unequal treatment and racism, cultural trauma due to historical events and contemporary experiences, racial identity and cultural norms, and the importance of cultural competency in recruitment and research studies.

Lincoln KD, Chow T, Gaines BF, et al. Fundamental causes of barriers to participation in Alzheimer's clinical research among African Americans. Ethnicity and Health 2018 Oct 30:1-15. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2018.1539222. [Epub ahead of print]