PROJECT SUMMARY
Older adult minorities are an underserved population, who are at a particularly high risk for developing chronic
diseases/health conditions and are significantly underrepresented in clinical research. Well-known barriers,
including research-related mistrust (e.g., belief that participants lack choice, mistrust of white researchers), lack
of cultural diversity/sensitivity among CT staff, and the exclusion of decisional support providers in decision-
making impede older adult minority participation in CTs. Tailoring content and source preferences to be patient-
centered, culturally sensitive (i.e., promote feelings of comfort, trust, respect), and personally relevant to the
receiver (a patient), thus increasing the likelihood of having a lasting effect on their attitudes and behaviors, has
been linked to positive health behaviors by older adult minorities. Such tailoring has not been studied to increase
participation rates of older adult minorities into active CTs, though culturally tailored VHT interventions are
perceived as trustworthy among minority participants. Our long-term goal is to increase clinical trial (CT)
participation among older adult minorities (Black/African American (AA), Hispanic/Latinx (H/L), and/or
rural adults over the age of 50) using Virtual Human Technology (VHT). In Aim1, we will conduct focus
groups with older adult minorities to obtain data that will be used to redesign ALEX to be culturally sensitive for
these minorities. In Aim 2, track engagement of such minorities into active, NIH-funded CTs across different
modalities for remotely delivering ALEX. In Aim 3, we will compare ALEX and standard recruitment methods for
enrolling such minorities into NIH-funded CTs. Achievement of these project aims will result in adaptable,
minimally tailored VHT recruitment intervention for increasing older adult minority participation rates in active
NIH-funded CTs.
