Recruitment of a Diverse Community-based Older Adult Cohort for a Longitudinal Aging Study

Abstract

Introduction: Enrolling individuals from underrepresented ethnoracial groups in aging research is often a challenge. Methods: We sought a diverse sample of older adults from a small-town area for a longitudinal aging study. We employed an intensive community engagement approach encompassing a range of recruitment strategies. Results: Over 4 years a steady trickle of individuals, 66% self-identifying as Black, signed up for study information; the proportion of those who eventually enroll in the study has been rising each year, from 68% to 94%. Community events, word-of-mouth referrals, and mailed postcards brought in the most contacts. The highest percentage of contacts who ultimately enrolled were from postcards, flyers, and word-of-mouth. Significantly more word-of-mouth referrals were endorsed by Black individuals than White and by Black men than other race/sex groups. Conclusions: We have had some success in building relationships and trust with the local community, enrolling Black study participants in a proportion equal to their representation in the target community using a variety of recruitment methods. Patience, immersion in the community, and partnerships with key community members alongside traditional advertisements, and the utilization of study participants as recruiters are critical to designing optimal, targeted, recruitment strategies.