Background
Black older adults are underrepresented in Alzheimer’s disease research. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis examined methods used to recruit and retain Black older adults in an ongoing study of Alzheimer’s disease and the social conditions that affect health.
Findings
During the first 22 months, 629 people expressed interest and 238 enrolled in the study. Word-of-mouth referrals (snowball sampling), community events, and speaking engagements were the most effective recruitment methods.
Citation
Walker, A.I.B., Trani, J.-F., Banks, C.F. et al. Recruiting a prospective community cohort to study Alzheimer’s disease and structural and social determinants of health among adults racialized as Black: The ARCHES cohort. Alzheimers Dement (N Y) 10(2), e12473 (2024). doi: 10.1002/trc2.12473
The study is available at Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions.
*Content last updated September 2026
