Researchers at Emory University have identified strategies that can increase the participation of underrepresented populations, specifically African American adults, in Alzheimer’s disease research. The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The work was conducted by investigators at the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, part of the Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute. Researchers analyzed data from 194 adults who participated in center studies between 2016 and 2024. They found that targeted outreach—including health education events and partnerships with community organizations—was linked to higher enrollment rates among African American participants.
The study also showed 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, such as churches and neighborhood centers, proved particularly effective. Notably, African American men enrolled more quickly than other groups when programs offered focused content relevant to their needs.
The authors emphasize the importance of culturally responsive recruitment strategies shaped by community input and sustained local partnerships to build trust.
“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 researchers suggest future studies should examine long-term retention and whether these approaches can be used effectively in other regions or populations.
Funding for this study came 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 conducts multidisciplinary research on brain disease mechanisms and develops new treatments and biomarkers. More information is available at goizuetabrainhealth.emory.edu.
