Theory-Based Message Design for Recruitment of Underrepresented Racial/Ethnic Groups Into Alzheimer's-Focused...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience and Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Health Disparities Research

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) research registries are crucial for identifying study participants.
• Participation in AD registries is notably low among racial and ethnic groups disproportionately affected by AD.
• Addressing these disparities is vital for advancing AD research and developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors influencing enrollment intentions in AD research registries among diverse racial and ethnic groups.
• To inform the development of theory-based recruitment messages using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA).
• To identify key beliefs and target specific populations for increased registry participation.

Main Methods:

• A national survey (n=1,501) of adults aged 50-80 was conducted, including oversamples of Black and Hispanic adults.
• Regression analysis examined the influence of attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control on registry enrollment intention.
• Audience segmentation analysis identified distinct groups based on their intention to participate.

Main Results:

• Positive attitudes towards societal benefits (general and specific) were significant predictors of enrollment intention across most groups.
• Norms and perceived capacity played secondary roles, with variations across racial/ethnic and sex groups.
• Attitudinal beliefs regarding helping others and advancing science were common across target demographics.

Conclusions:

• Leveraging shared positive attitudes towards societal benefits can enhance recruitment of diverse populations into AD registries.
• Tailoring messages based on group-specific norms and perceived capacity may further optimize recruitment strategies.
• Targeted, belief-based recruitment is a promising approach to increase participation of underrepresented groups in AD research.