# A cognitive screening program in community‐based medical clinics to facilitate Latino participation in Alzheimer's disease research

## TL;DR

A cognitive screening program in clinics helped increase Latino participation in Alzheimer's disease research by combining clinical services with recruitment efforts.

## Contribution

The study introduces a model program that successfully integrates cognitive screening with research recruitment in Latino communities.

## Key findings

- 91.9% of primary care and 86.6% of neurology patients agreed to be contacted about Alzheimer's research.
- 21% of referrals led to successful recruitment into ADRD studies.
- 31 participants contributed to 79 enrollments across 15 studies.

## Abstract

Relatively low rates of Latino participation in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research makes it difficult to determine whether identified disease mechanisms, risk factors, or novel treatments generalize to this population.

We introduced ADRD research opportunities through a model cognitive screening program in primary care and neurology specialty care clinics in areas with high proportions of Latino residents.

Out of 523 Latino adults (mean age = 72.1 years, mean education = 6.8 years, 62.1% female, 88.1% tested in Spanish), 520 allowed the use of screening data for research, and high percentages agreed to a research registry with contact about ADRD research opportunities (primary care: 91.9%, neurology: 86.6%). Registrants supported 368 referrals to 45 studies (21% successfully recruited). Thirty‐one individuals participated in ≥1 study, producing 79 enrollments across 15 ADRD studies.

Results demonstrate that combining a needed clinical service with recruitment efforts can enhance participation of older Latino adults in ADRD research.

Older Latinos (>99%) allowed the use of cognitive screening data for research purposes.Primary care (91%) and neurology (87%) patients allowed ADRD research solicitation.Twenty‐one percent of referrals of those agreeing to contact (79/368) led to research recruitment.Thirty‐one participants accounted for 79 distinct enrollments across 15 ADRD studies.Combining clinical service with recruitment enhances Latino research participation.

Older Latinos (>99%) allowed the use of cognitive screening data for research purposes.

Primary care (91%) and neurology (87%) patients allowed ADRD research solicitation.

Twenty‐one percent of referrals of those agreeing to contact (79/368) led to research recruitment.

Thirty‐one participants accounted for 79 distinct enrollments across 15 ADRD studies.

Combining clinical service with recruitment enhances Latino research participation.