Like cancer, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) comprise a global health burden that can benefit tremendously from the power of disease registry data. With an aging population, the ...incidence, treatment, and mortality from ADRD is increasing and changing rapidly. In the same way that current cancer registries work toward prevention and control, so do ADRD registries. ADRD registries maintain a comprehensive and accurate registry of ADRD within their state, provide disease prevalence estimates to enable better planning for social and medical services, identify differences in disease prevalence among demographic groups, help those who care for individuals with ADRD, and foster research into risk factors for ADRD. ADRD registries offer a unique opportunity to conduct high-impact, scientifically rigorous research efficiently. As research on and development of ADRD treatments continue to be a priority, such registries can be powerful tools for conducting observational studies of the disease. This perspectives piece examines how established cancer registries can inform ADRD registries' impact on public health surveillance, research, and intervention, and inform and engage policymakers.
African American adults have the highest mortality rate for most cancers in the United States, and meaningful, community-driven research is needed to inform optimal strategies for addressing these ...disparities. Unfortunately, research mistrust, often driven by historical inequities, is well-documented among African Americans.
This study explored trust, attitudes, and preferences regarding participation in cancer research activities among primarily African American and other medically underserved communities in South Carolina from August 2020 to December 2021. Trust was measured using the Trust in Medical Researchers Scale (TMRS).
The mean TMRS score for all study participants (N = 179) was 26.54 (SD 7.57) out of 48 (maximum possible score). Significant differences in mean values of the TMRS scores were only observed for gender (p = 0.0056) and race (p < 0.0001), with White participants and males reporting higher levels of trust in medical researchers. Overall, 52.5% of participants were somewhat likely or likely to volunteer to participate in a cancer research opportunity, with White participants (73.81%) being more likely to participate in cancer research compared to African American participants (45.74%) (p = 0.0054). Furthermore, participants were most willing to provide saliva (80.85%) and urine samples (80.85%), new blood samples (60.64%), stool samples (54.26%), medical records or laboratory results (52.13%) and least willing to allow left-over blood, tissue, or other fluids from medical procedures to be used for research (50%).
These results provide evidence of the need for concerted programmatic efforts to build trust in cancer researchers, particularly among females and African American adults.
This paper presents reflections on mentorship from scientists and mentors of the National Institute on Aging (NIA)-funded Carolina Center on Alzheimer’s Disease and Minority Research (CCADMR). Using ...a network approach to mentoring, this program aims to increase the pipeline of underrepresented minority (URM) scientists studying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) disparities. Six mentors and five scientists participated in interviews. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes; transcripts of mentors and scientists were compared. Most common thematic categories identified by mentors included experience interacting with scientists, goals as a mentor, recruitment of underrepresented minorities, scientists’ challenges, and programmatic qualities. The most mentioned categories by scientists were challenges, seminars, working with mentors, career development, and project experience. The CCADMR will use findings to enhance the experience and training methods for future grant years. Results can benefit other training programs focused on aging and AD.
The primary objective of the Combining Youth Passion and Resources for Environmental Sciences Studies (CYPRESS) Project was to increase awareness and generate interest among minority students ...regarding agriculture-related careers, in rural SC. The students participated in 4H after-school programs, summer camps, and an Ag-Science course. There were also workshops for teachers and parents for them to support the students. Data from the project were analyzed using pre- and post-survey methods. The results revealed that 26% of 4H after-school participants were interested in pursuing agriculture-related careers; 43% of summer camp participants were interested in pursuing such careers, and 5% of the Ag-Science course participants were interested in pursuing such careers. Despite the low percentage response of the Ag-Science course participants, overall, CYPRESS exposed over 600 students to agriculture-related careers. This is expected to ultimately, have a positive impact on enrollment in agriculture-related majors.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2007.
"Department of Health Education." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-122). Also available online.
This study investigated a PowerPoint home safety (PPHS) presentation in enhancing awareness, knowledge, and behavior change among older adults. Twelve senior centers were utilized as data collection ...sites in a pretest-posttest control group experimental design. Through stratified randomization, centers were placed into three categories (high, medium, and low), based on counties' population size (4,413 to 61,296) and income ($31,625 to $41,064). Next, centers were randomly assigned to two research groups, each consisting of six centers and fifty-two participants. Experimental sites received pretest, PPHS presentation and posttest, while control sites received pre and posttest. An expert panel reviewed instrument and intervention prior to data collection, in addition to a pre-pilot and pilot study to assess validity, reliability, and feasibility for target audience. Analyses of variance were performed to compare the mean differences between pre and posttests regarding knowledge, awareness and behavior. Findings revealed that knowledge and awareness were significantly different among groups. Experimental sites showed a greater mean difference (knowledge 1.37, awareness 0.74) than the control sites (knowledge 0.29, awareness 0.21). There was no significant difference found among groups regarding behavior. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the role demographic factors played in predicting knowledge, awareness and behavior. Significant regression equations were found for knowledge and behavior. Findings revealed that a small percentage of knowledge (6%) and behavior (4%) could be attributed to education level of participants. The regression equation was not significant in predicting awareness. Demographic factors were not predictors for awareness level of participants. A significant difference was found among the experimental and control site in comparing the total mean differences (awareness + knowledge + behavior) of the pre and posttest. The experimental sites had a greater mean difference (2.26) than the control sites (0.23). Presentations like PPHS can serve as a reminder of what changes need to be made in and around the home, in addition to reinforcing existing awareness and knowledge for seniors.
