NIA outreach to minority and health disparity populations can a toolbox for recruitment and retention be far behind?
The ability to locate the right research tool at the right time for recruitment and retention of minority and health disparity populations is a challenge. This article provides an introduction to a number of recruitment and retention tools in a National Institute on Aging Health Disparities Toolbox and to this special edition on challenges and opportunities in recruitment and retention of minority populations in Alzheimer disease and dementia research. The Health Disparities Toolbox and Health Disparities Resource Persons Network are described along with other more established resource tools including the Alzheimer Disease Center Education Cores, Alzheimer Disease Education and Referral Center, and Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research. Nine featured articles are introduced. The articles address a range of concerns including what we know and do not know, conceptual and theoretical perspectives framing issues of diversity and inclusion, success as a result of sustained investment of time and community partnerships, the significant issue of mistrust, willingness to participate in research as a dynamic personal attribute, Helpline Service and the amount of resources required for success, assistance in working with Limited English Proficiency elders, and sage advice from social marketing and investigations of health literacy as a barrier to recruitment and retention. Finally, an appeal is made for scientists to share tools for the National Institute on Aging Health Disparity Toolbox and to join the Health Disparities Resource Persons Network.
National Institute on Aging, Building 31, Room 5C35, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-2292, USA. taylor_harden@nih.gov
J Taylor
JT
Harden
Nina
N
Silverberg
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D035843:Biomedical Research; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D054561:National Institute on Aging (U.S.); D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D014481:United States