THE SHARP STUDY MODEL FOR RECRUITING/RETAINING PARTICIPANTS AND MINORITY SCHOLARS IN AGING RESEARCH. (11th November 2018) - Francois, E
Abstract: African Americans are underrepresented in research as participants and researchers. Contributing factors include historical exploitation like the Syphilis trials, radiation experiments on Black children, and lower funding probabliltiy for Black researchers compared to Whites. Researcher-participant racial concordance establishes trust, motivates minority engagement, and may help reduce minority cognitive health disparities. In Oregon, Blacks are 2% and 1.6% of the state's healthcare workforce. Oregon's Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-Imagery (SHARP) study aims to improve older African Americans' cognitive health while mentoring new African American cognitive health researchers. African American undergraduates (n=5) and graduates (n=3) were mentored in an NIA-Alzheimer's Disease Center research environment. Thirty-one older African Americans (7=mild cognitive impairment) walked in triads for 6 months using tablet devices. Historic images and questions about African American culture prompted conversational reminiscence. Focus groups evaluated participant motivation; informal interviews evaluated mentee motivation. Thematic analysis guided qualitative interpretation. Participant retention was 71% (2016) and 90% (2017). Participants attributed sustained engagement to SHARP's cultural focus, African American leadership, and strong commitment to Black mentorship. Participants found increased purpose in simultaneously investing in their health, community history preservation, and next-generation African American aging researchers. Mentees felt increased sense of inclusivity and relatability working with other Black researchers and particpants because shared sociohistorical understanding, sense of service facilitating healthier aging and history building, and confidence to progress professionally. Culturally-intentional research programs can be effective vehicles for increasing and retaining minorioty researchers and participants for a more inclusive health workforce and better minority health outcomes.