Building a diverse national research advisory board.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare research
• Community engagement
• Health disparities

Background:

• Advisory boards in medical research are common but often lack demographic diversity.
• Homogenous, geographically limited groups may not reflect the broader community.
• Addressing health disparities requires culturally competent research practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To recruit a demographically diverse community advisory board for the All of Us Research Program.
• To inform program strategies related to recruitment, engagement, retention, and incentives.
• To foster inclusive representation in large-scale medical research.

Main Methods:

• Purposeful recruitment strategies were employed to attract diverse community members nationwide.
• Community building initiatives focused on creating a psychologically safe environment.
• Advisors partnered with the All of Us Research Program to shape its strategies.

Main Results:

• A demographically diverse group of community advisors was successfully recruited across the U.S.
• The recruitment and community-building efforts fostered an environment of open sharing and collaboration.
• Diverse perspectives were integrated into the All of Us Research Program's strategic planning.

Conclusions:

• Diverse community advisory boards are essential for culturally competent and inclusive healthcare research.
• Purposeful recruitment and community building can create effective advisory partnerships.
• Engaging diverse voices is critical for the success of ambitious, nationwide research initiatives.