Factors affecting the willingness of African-American and American Indian/Alaska Native communities to engage in genetic and biomarker research: The UBIGR study

Background

Despite the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia on Black/African-American and American Indian/Alaska Native groups, they have been underrepresented in biomarker research. Research investigating underrepresented groups’ willingness to engage in research has primarily relied on qualitative research and/or specialized samples (e.g., patients’ first-degree relatives). Similarly, extant quantitative studies include disproportionately small numbers of these participants. This investigation aimed to understand preclinical biomarker and genetic AD research participation in underrepresented groups to facilitate greater diversity in future biomarker research and clinical trials.

Method

We administered an online questionnaire to 599 Black/African-American, 120 American Indian/Alaska Native, and 725 NonHispanic White adults and assessed demographic characteristics and participants’ views on dementia, research, and genetic and preclinical biomarker testing. Attitudes toward research were examined using the standardized 7-item Research Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) measure. Using structural equation modeling, we tested a priori hypotheses regarding willingness to engage in AD preclinical biomarker testing. The specific survey item used as the outcome measure asked for agreement with the statement: “I would be willing to undergo any type of testing necessary if it was the only way to find out if I was at risk for AD before there were any symptoms,” answered on a Likert scale (1=strongly disagree – 7=strongly agree).

Results

The three groups differed significantly in their attitudes toward research, as measured by total RAQ scores. Despite no differences in opinion regarding the overall usefulness of biomarkers, the ethnoracial groups differed in their willingness to engage in preclinical biomarker testing for dementia. Path analysis revealed an excellent model fit, indicating that attitudes toward research, as measured by the RAQ, influenced biomarker testing willingness. These findings suggest the need for outreach and engagement programs to occur before attempting research recruitment, particularly with BIPOC populations.