If We Would Only Ask: How Henrietta Lacks Continues to Teach Us About Perceptions of Research and Genetic Research Among African Americans Today.
African Americans are under-represented in research, and there are perceptions of unwillingness among African Americans to participate in research. We explored barriers to African American research participation.



We conducted a cross-sectional survey to explore knowledge and beliefs regarding medical and genetic research among adults (n = 169) at urban community events. Descriptive data were summarized by frequencies for survey responses.



Only 13 % of respondents had ever been approached for research; 93 % of those who had been approached for research had participated. Eighty-six percent of those who had previous research experience indicated willingness to participate again vs. only 30 % among those with no research experience. Seventy-four percent had altruistic views of research; 28 % were concerned about truthfulness of researchers; 52 % feared incidental discoveries.



African Americans have favorable views of research; however, few are being engaged in studies. Effective interventions to address identified barriers may improve participation and lead to better health outcomes among African Americans.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA. bljones@cmh.edu.|Division of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA. bljones@cmh.edu.|Division of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA. bljones@cmh.edu.|Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA. bljones@cmh.edu.|Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA. bljones@cmh.edu.
Bridgette L
BL
Jones
Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.|Division of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA.|Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA.|Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Carrie A
CA
Vyhlidal
Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.|Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA.|Division of Health Services and Outcome Research, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Andrea
A
Bradley-Ewing
Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.|Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA.|Division of Health Services and Outcome Research, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Ashley
A
Sherman
Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.|Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, USA.|Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.|Division of Health Services and Outcome Research, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Kathy
K
Goggin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D035843:Biomedical Research; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D036281:Genetic Research; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
Asthma; Disparities; Genetics; Research; Underserved
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