# Feasibility of an Innovative Method to Understand the Dynamics of Choice and Create Diversity in Genomics Research among Older African Americans

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2021 · $194,065

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Genetic research holds great promise for health including the broadening of our understanding of aging
processes and disease but a lack of diversity in study samples threatens to leave those who suffer most out of
medical advances. Older African Americans (AA) bear a disproportionate burden of chronic disease and disability
from a wide range of conditions including diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease, cardiovascular disease, depression
and respiratory disease and experience accelerated aging as a result of adversity in mid and early life. Yet, they
are also are less likely to participate in research, especially in projects involving biospecimens and genetic
material. Previous studies have determined barriers and facilitators for research engagement but not effective
solutions due to a lack of attention to how these study attributes are weighed relative to one another in the
decision making process.
Building upon the success of preliminary research and the resources of the University of Wisconsin’s Survey
Center (UWSC), Collaborative Center for Health Equity (CCHE), and Center for Community Engagement and
Health Partnerships (CCE), we propose to test the feasibility of an innovative method to explore the interaction
of multiple factors that influence the decision to participate in research that can be applied to representative
samples of, typically underrepresented, populations. Through a mixed method approach (cognitive interviews
and card sort adaptation of a factorial survey design), we will examine a range of study “attributes.” (scope of
consent required, diversity of the research team, research goal, and institutional affiliation) to determine: (1) how
each attribute contributes to the decision to participate in research; (2) the relative importance of each attribute;
(3) the ways in which attributes interact to create a final decision; and (4) the socially constructed meaning of
attributes. Project aims are to determine: (1) patterns of decision making relative to genomics research study
attributes among African Americans (n=140-160) through a tablet-based “gamified” survey and the application
of both general linear models and modern classification and regression tree (CART) methodology; and (2) the
relative importance, interpretation and meaning of factors in the decision to participate in genomics research
through “think aloud” cognitive interviews with ¼ of the participants of the sample in aim 1. The propose will
create: (1) an accurate and actionable understanding of the challenges of genomics research engagement; and
(2) an effective and simple, mobile-based methodology applicable to test the feasibility/acceptability of research
design attributes prior to recruitment for a wide range of studies. Study findings will be directly disseminated to
researchers of the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (NIH/NCATS: UL1TR002373) and the
UW Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (NIH/NIA: 2P50AG033514-06). Subsequent use and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10171880
- **Project number:** 5R21HG011503-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Susan Racine Passmore
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $194,065
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10171880

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10171880, Feasibility of an Innovative Method to Understand the Dynamics of Choice and Create Diversity in Genomics Research among Older African Americans (5R21HG011503-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10171880. Licensed CC0.

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