Recruitment by screening entire communities. The Iowa Lipid Research Clinic Experience

Screening of entire communities arose out of the demographic characteristics of the area served by the Iowa LRC. The process included three components: access to names and addresses of age-eligible persons who could be contacted through a direct-mail announcement of the screening program; support of local media and community leaders; and effective on-site screening teams. Responses to direct mailings were enhanced by a coordinated mass media campaign, in which print media was more effective than radio or television. The likelihood of an age-eligible man participating in the initial contact screening for the CPPT was greater for residents of smaller than larger communities.