Bridging the gap: Understanding Latino willingness to participate in public health and clinical trials research across diverse subgroups.

BACKGROUND

The underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minoritized populations in public health and clinical trials research remains a persistent issue. Yet, despite the growing body of literature investigating Latino participation in research, studies examining differences Latino sub-groups remains limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate how knowledge, awareness and willingness to participate in research differs between US- born and immigrant Latinos.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based household telephone survey with Latino adults (N = 1264), with 68 % Mexican/Mexican American, 11 % Central/South American, 8 % Puerto Rican and the remaining 13 % self-identified as "Other". The "Building Trust Survey," included valid standardized instruments designed to assess knowledge of research, human subjects' protections, previous participation in research, immigrant status (nativity), length of time in the US, and country of origin.

RESULTS

The study found that Latinos who immigrated to the US as teens or young adults were more willing to participate in medical research than those born in the US. Willingness to "take" something in a study varied by Latino subgroup, immigration age, gender, and age. Analysis highlighted that Mexican/Mexican Americans (76 %) and Central/South Americans (74 %) indicated a willingness to participate in research but also were less likely to have been "Asked" to participate in research (9 % and 6 % respectively) compared to the other subgroups (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Insights from this study will inform the development of culturally tailored interventions aimed at successfully recruiting and retaining Latino populations in public health and clinical trials research, thereby contributing to more equitable and representative health outcomes.