Delivering a "dose of hope": a faith-based program to increase older african americans' participation in clinical trials.

• Authors: Paula Frew, Emory University; Saad Omer, Emory University; Kimberly Parker, Texas Woman's University; Marcus Bolton, Emory University; Jay Schamel, Emory University; Eve Shapiro, Emory University; Lauren Owens, Emory University; Diane Saint-Victor, Emory University; Sahithi Boggavarapu, Emory University; Nikia Braxton, Emory University; Matthew Archibald, Colby College; Ameeta Kalokhe, Emory University; Takeia Horton, Emory University; Christin M Root, Emory University; Vincent L Fenimore, Georgia State University; Aaron Anderson, Emory University
• Journal Title: JMIR Research Protocols
• Volume: Volume 4, Number 2
• Publisher: JMIR Publications | 2015, Pages e64-e64
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.4072
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: African Americans; churches; clinical trials; health disparities; study recruitment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Underrepresentation of older-age racial and ethnic minorities in clinical research is a significant barrier to health in the United States, as it impedes medical research advancement of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to develop and test the feasibility of a community-developed faith-based intervention and evaluate its potential to increase the number of older African Americans in clinical research. METHODS: Using a cluster-randomized design, we worked with six matched churches to enroll at least 210 persons. We provided those in the intervention group churches with three educational sessions on the role of clinical trials in addressing health disparity topics, and those in the comparison group completed surveys at the same timepoints. All persons enrolled in the study received ongoing information via newsletters and direct outreach on an array of clinical studies seeking participants. We evaluated the short-, mid-, and longer-term effects of the interventional program on clinical trial-related outcomes (ie, screening and enrollment). RESULTS: From 2012 to 2013, we enrolled a balanced cohort of 221 persons in the program. At a 3-month follow-up, mean intention to seek information about clinical trials was higher than baseline in both treatment (mu=7.5/10; sigma=3.1) and control arms (mu=6.6/10; sigma=3.3), with the difference more pronounced in the treatment arm. The program demonstrated strong retention at 3-month (95.4%, 211/221) and 6-month timepoints (94.1%, 208/221). CONCLUSIONS: The "Dose of Hope" program addressed an unmet need to reach an often overlooked audience of older African Americans who are members of churches and stimulate their interest in clinical trial participation. The program demonstrated its appeal in the delivery of effective messages and information about health disparities, and the role of clinical research in addressing these challenges.