The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has launched a new online research tool to help increase participation by traditionally underrepresented populations in clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Unveiled last week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Outreach Pro enables those involved with leading clinical research to create and customize participant recruitment communications such as websites, handouts, videos, and social media posts.
“We are facing a critical and growing need for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia, as well as those at higher risk, and healthy people, to participate in clinical trials,” said NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, MD. “That need is especially acute for frequently underrepresented groups such as Black and Hispanic Americans, which is why Outreach Pro includes an emphasis on helping clinical trial researchers connect with these and other important communities.”
Outreach Pro is an integral part of NIA’s efforts to implement the National Strategy for Recruitment and Participation in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Clinical Research. Released in 2018, the national strategy was developed in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association with input from government, private sector, academic, and industry stakeholders, as well as from individuals, caregivers, and study participants. The overarching goal is to engage broader segments of the public, including underrepresented populations, to participate in Alzheimer’s and related dementias clinical research.
To use Outreach Pro, researchers and clinicians first select desired templates with one of three communication goals in mind: 1) to educate about Alzheimer’s, related dementias, and/or brain health; 2) to increase awareness and interest in Alzheimer’s and related dementias clinical trials; or, 3) to provide information about a specific Alzheimer’s or related dementia clinical trial currently enrolling participants. Each template can then be tailored using a central library of messages, headlines, photos, and text that have been extensively tested among individuals representing diverse and underserved populations.
NIA plans to add content and scale up the tool’s capabilities based on feedback and performance measurement. In total, NIA is supporting 270 Alzheimer’s and related dementia clinical trials, including those focused on lifestyle and caregiving interventions. Late-stage trials often include thousands of participants, requiring even more volunteers to help researchers meet recruitment goals for diversity.
Edited by Gary Cramer
