Development and Utilization of the RADx-UP Image Bank: A Digital Photography Repository.

Abstract

The use of recruitment materials that reflect individuals and their communities increases the likelihood of those individuals participating in research, particularly among underrepresented populations. The Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) Image Bank is a digital repository of photographs from diverse communities participating in the National Institutes of Health's RADx-UP initiative, which aims to increase access to COVID-19 testing in communities across the United States. The Image Bank was created to provide representative and accessible imagery to the RADx-UP consortium for use in promotional, educational, and dissemination materials. Photographs have been incorporated into various research dissemination channels including e-newsletters, webpages, and social media graphics. The Image Bank could serve as a model for other consortiums, researchers, or programs who seek to create communications and materials that reflect and are inclusive of the focused population(s).