Partnering with Middle Eastern/Arab American and Latino Immigrant Communities to Increase Participation in Alzheimer's Disease Research

Abstract

Purpose: Recruitment and retention of US ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in research continues to pose challenges. The Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer's Disease (MCCFAD) engages with two underserved immigrant communities in Michigan - Middle Eastern/Arab Americans in metro-Detroit and Latinos in the Grand Rapids area - to recruit and retain two Participant Resource Pools (PRP).

Procedures: We adapt an existing community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to recruit Middle Eastern/Arab American and Latino adults of all ages for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) research. Using American Community Survey (2014-2018) data, we compare socio-demographic characteristics of Middle Eastern/Arab Americans and Latinos living in Michigan to our PRPs. Assessment tools and community advisory board feedback identified missteps and culturally sensitive solutions.

Main findings: In the first year of MCCFAD activities, 100 Middle Eastern/Arab Americans and 117 Latinos joined the MCCFAD PRPs. Comparisons to state-level data showed that PRP participants were on average older and more likely to be female than the Middle Eastern/Arab American and Latino populations in Michigan. Further, Middle Eastern/Arab Americans in the PRP reported higher education levels while Latinos reported lower education levels than their respective statewide populations. Community partnerships/feedback identified the importance of connecting with community leaders, attending to matters of within-group diversity, as well as language and semantics.

Conclusion: Partnership with communities to develop culturally targeted and sensitive community health events can fill a significant gap in addressing ADRD health disparities by establishing sustainable relationships to increase participation in ADRD research.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia; Arab American; Community-based Participatory Research; Health Disparities; Latino.

Figure 1.. Logic model illustrating the recruitment process for building a volunteer registry within the Middle Eastern/Arab American and Latino communities (adapted from Chadiha et al, 2011).