Ethnic minority older adults participating in clinical research: developing trust

• Published in: Journal of aging and health Vol. 16; no. 5 Suppl; pp. 93S - 123S
• Main Authors: Moreno-John, Gina, Gachie, Anthony, Fleming, Candace M, Nápoles-Springer, Anna, Mutran, Elizabeth, Manson, Spero M, Pérez-Stable, Eliseo J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC 01.11.2004
• Subjects: African Americans; Aged; Beneficence; Clinical Trials as Topic; Communication; Ethnic Groups; Health technology assessment; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Indians, North American; Interpersonal Relations; Medical research; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority Groups; Motivation; Older people; Patient Selection; Trust; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0898-2643; 1552-6887
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264304268151

African American, Latino, and American Indian older adults are underrepresented in clinical research studies. A significant barrier to participation in research is mistrust of the scientific community and institutions. The aims of this article are to discuss the lack of representation of ethnic minorities in clinical research. This article presents a review of the literature regarding medical research mistrust. Also described are the trust-building activities of the Resource Centers on Minority Aging Research (RCMAR), federally funded centers focused on research and aging in communities of color. The RCMAR centers are building trust with the communities they serve, resulting in the recruitment and retention of ethnic minority older adults in clinical research studies and health promotion projects. Implications are discussed for other researchers toward building trust with ethnic minority elders to increase their participation in research.