Virtual Community Engagement for Retention of Black Men in Clinical Research

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Clinical Trial Recruitment
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Black American men exhibit poorer cardiovascular health outcomes than White men.
• Underrepresentation of Black men in clinical trials exacerbates health disparities.
• The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to ongoing research, including participant retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual community engagement (VCE) process for retaining Black men in the Black Impact lifestyle intervention study.
• To co-design and implement a VCE strategy to mitigate disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess participant perceptions and engagement during the VCE run-in phase.

Main Methods:

• A 9-week virtual community engagement (VCE) process was implemented via weekly video conferences.
• Community stakeholders co-designed the VCE process with researchers.
• Data collection included attendance, acceptability anecdotes, and thematic analysis of session notes.
• Descriptive statistics analyzed quantitative data on retention rates.

Main Results:

• The VCE fostered a safe environment, trust, and a sense of brotherhood among participants.
• Key themes included discussions on mental health and spirituality.
• Following the VCE, 74% (74 out of 100) of participants remained engaged in the study.
• Participant feedback indicated high acceptability and value.

Conclusions:

• Virtual community engagement is a viable framework for maintaining participant retention during study delays or disruptions.
• The VCE approach effectively built community and engagement among Black men in a clinical trial.
• This model can improve the inclusion of underrepresented populations in research, particularly during unforeseen circumstances.