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Windon CC, Jackson AJ, Aguirre GA, Tucker M, Amuiri A, Hill-Jarrett T, Chen M, Pina Escuedro SD, Lieu K, Lopez L, Mei D, Tee BL, Watson CW, Agwu C, Kramer J, Lanata S. Underrepresented and Underserved Populations in Neurological Research. Semin Neurol 2024; 44:168-177. [PMID: 38485127 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Underserved and underrepresented populations have historically been excluded from neurological research. This lack of representation has implications for translation of research findings into clinical practice given the impact of social determinants of health on neurological disease risk, progression, and outcomes. Lack of inclusion in research is driven by individual-, investigator-, and study-level barriers as well as larger systemic injustices (e.g., structural racism, discriminatory practices). Although strategies to increase inclusion of underserved and underrepresented populations have been put forth, numerous questions remain about the most effective methodology. In this article, we highlight inclusivity patterns and gaps among the most common neurological conditions and propose best practices informed by our own experiences in engagement of local community organizations and collaboration efforts to increase underserved and underrepresented population participation in neurological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles C Windon
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Ashley J Jackson
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Gloria A Aguirre
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Miwa Tucker
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Alinda Amuiri
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Tanisha Hill-Jarrett
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Miranda Chen
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Stefanie D Pina Escuedro
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Kevin Lieu
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Lucia Lopez
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Diana Mei
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Boon Lead Tee
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Caitlin W Watson
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Chidera Agwu
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joel Kramer
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Serggio Lanata
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
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Lemacks JL, James RE, Abbott L, Choi H, Parker A, Bryant A, Ralston PA, Rigsby AG, Gilner P. The Church Bridge Project: An Academic-Community Perspective of a Church-Based Weight Management Pilot Intervention among Young Adult African Americans. Prog Community Health Partnersh 2018; 12:23-34. [PMID: 29755046 PMCID: PMC6767920 DOI: 10.1353/cpr.2018.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Churches are effective community partners and settings to address weight management among African Americans. There is limited information on the use of churches to reach young adult populations and church collaborations with primary care clinics. OBJECTIVES The Church Bridge Project represents a community-academic partnership that presents the recruitment process of a church-based weight management intervention and describes baseline data of participants recruited from churches and primary care providers. We also discuss research contributions, challenges and limitations, study applicability, and practice implications from an academic and community perspective. METHODS Church leaders were involved in the entire research process. The theory-driven intervention included 12 diabetes prevention program-adapted education and motivational interviewing (MI)-guided sessions. Participants were recruited through primary care providers and church leaders. Demographics, medical and weight history, stage of change for weight loss, social support, and self-efficacy for diet and physical activity, weight, and girth circumferences were measured. Baseline descriptive data were analyzed. RESULTS Of 64 potential participants, 42 (65.6%) were enrolled in the study and 16 (25.0%) completed baseline data collection. No participants were recruited through primary care providers. Recruited participants were similar to the target population except for being all obese and mostly female. The mean ± SD age of participants was 34.31 ± 8.86 years with most reporting having more than a high school education (n = 14 [87.5%]), individual yearly income of less than $59,000 (n = 12 [75.0%]), and been married or living with a partner (n = 9 [56.3%]). Most reported a history of hypertension and an immediate family history of diabetes and hypertension. Most participants were classified as class III obesity. CONCLUSIONS Young adults and primary care providers are difficult to engage in church-based interventions. Church leaders were comfortable with a collaborate model for decision making, but not an empower model. Churches remain a successful method to reach African Americans; however, more research is needed to motivate young adults to participate in health intervention research.
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