Researchers at Emory University have identified strategies that can help increase participation by underrepresented groups in Alzheimer’s disease research. Their study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, focused on African American adults, who are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease but remain underrepresented in clinical studies.
The research was conducted by investigators from the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, part of the Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute. The team analyzed data from 194 adults enrolled in their research between 2016 and 2024. They found that targeted outreach efforts—such as health education events and partnerships with trusted community organizations—were linked to increased enrollment among African American participants.
The study highlighted that African American participants were more likely than non-Hispanic white participants to attend outreach events before enrolling. Community-based events held in Black communities, including churches and neighborhood centers, proved especially effective. The researchers also noted that African American men enrolled more quickly than other groups when programs included content relevant to them.
The findings emphasize the need for recruitment strategies that are structured, culturally responsive, and informed by community input. Building trust through sustained local partnerships was found to be key.
“Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects African American and Hispanic communities, yet these populations are consistently underrepresented in research,” said James J. Lah, MD, PhD, associate director of the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. “Our findings show that intentional, community-informed outreach can help close that gap and improve the relevance of Alzheimer’s research for the communities most affected.”
The authors suggest future studies should examine long-term participant retention and explore whether these outreach methods can be applied in other regions or populations.
This work received support from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging and the Georgia Department of Human Services through Georgia Memory Net.
The Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute is dedicated to advancing innovation in brain health prediction, prevention, and treatment. Its multidisciplinary teams focus on understanding brain diseases and developing new therapies and biomarkers. More information is available at goizuetabrainhealth.emory.edu.
