Clinical Research with Older African Americans and Latinos: Perspectives from the Community

This study examines the social and health priorities of older African Americans and Latinos and their attitudes about participation in clinical research. Focus group discussions were conducted with older Latinos and African Americans, and a survey was mailed to key informants from 117 community-based organizations serving primarily older African Americans or Latinos. Results indicate that affordable housing, enough money to meet their needs, adequate transportation, and safer neighborhoods were urgent priorities for older Latinos and African Americans and superseded their health concerns. Distrust of researchers, lack of information, caregiver obligations, fear of experimentation, and lack of benefits were identified as barriers to research participation. Results indicate that community members are willing to participate in research provided they are fully informed of the research and perceive tangible benefits and congruence between the objectives of researchers and participants.