# Building Community and Research Engagement among Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

> **NIH NIH R24** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $756,568

## Abstract

Abstract
By 2030, there will be nearly six million sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults aged 50 and older in
the U.S. who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer. This number will more than double
by 2050. Approximately 350,000 SGM older adults in the U.S. currently are living with Alzheimer's disease and
related dementias (ADRD), with projections nearing one million by 2030. SGM older adults experience greater
health disparities than their heterosexual counterparts. Several recent studies have shown a higher prevalence
of risk factors for ADRD, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression
or frequent mental distress, and subjective cognitive decline. In addition, SGM older adults are less likely to
have informal caregiving support and for those with caregivers, their caregivers often lack access to inclusive
services and resources. Research participation from SGM older adults is extremely limited and the sparse
research suggests that SGM older adults are interested in being engaged in research, but concerns regarding
the lack of inclusive services and mistrust need to be addressed to improve participation in ADRD research,
including clinical trials and intervention research studies. To overcome these barriers to participation in ADRD-
related research, this study will implement culturally appropriate and inclusive recruitment strategies aimed at
engaging, recruiting, and retaining SGM older adults with ADRD and SGM caregivers in research. This will be
accomplished through (1) the development of a national network of existing SGM organizations, programs, and
academic institutions to engage SGM people with ADRD and SGM ADRD caregivers in clinical research; 2)
establishing a sustainable research registry of SGM people with ADRD and SGM caregivers by developing,
implementing, and evaluating tailored recruitment and engagement programs, for use by ADRDc and clinical
research institutions; and 3) the development of a replicable model for recruitment and retention of SGM
people with ADRD and SGM caregivers in ADRD and aging-related research. Our collaborative team will
address the National Institute of Aging's Strategic Directions for Research on Aging “F-3: Develop and
implement strategies to increase inclusion of diverse populations in research.”

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10492014
- **Project number:** 5R24AG066599-02
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Joel G. Anderson
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $756,568
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10492014

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10492014, Building Community and Research Engagement among Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (5R24AG066599-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10492014. Licensed CC0.

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