Abstract B061: Utilizing community engagement studios to increase clinical research participation from underserved communities: A case study

Abstract Underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups has been a consistent challenge in clinical trials. Traditionally, site-based clinical studies have found it challenging to engage a diverse population. Here, we report on our experience of recruiting Black and African American populations into PROCEED-CRC (NCT06620627), a prospective study to collect blood samples from enrolled participants within 120 days prior to screening colonoscopies in the average-risk population. In this case study, we describe how community feedback informed the development of a social media-based recruitment strategy and our efforts to increase Black or African American enrollment rates through two distinct decentralized recruitment channels. To develop a social media marketing strategy geared towards Black and African American populations, three community engagement studios (CES) were conducted by OHSU, an academic community engagement expert. Two of the CES included members of the Touch4Life network, a patient advocacy group focusing on decreasing cancer disparities in Black, Indigenous, and people of color populations. Findings from the first CES were reviewed with the Touch4Life leadership and CES participants. A subsequent CES was designed to provide feedback on social media advertising strategies. Following the second CES, marketing materials were adjusted to include images of representative groups versus individuals, and emphasis was placed on more positive language. PROCEED-CRC implemented three recruitment strategies: (1) pharmacy fulfillment, (2) primary care and gastrointestinal clinics, and (3) social media. Among Black and African American participants, enrollment rates were highest in the pharmacy fulfillment channel when compared to social media outreach. Regardless of how social media outreach communications were designed to target different demographics (sex, age, rural areas), overall, the enrollment of Black or Africant Americant individuals remained at 10% of the total subjects enrolled. However, the pharmacy recruitment strategy facilitated targeted efforts toward various demographics, resulting in an increase in Black or African American enrollment to 17% of the overall enrolled population. Following guidance from CES partners and participants and by sharing the results with the Touch4Life community, we developed a bidirectional flow of information and fostered a joint mission to deepen our relationship with the community. Early collaboration between industry-sponsored researchers, community experts, and patient advocacy groups is an ideal model for gaining insights into specific communities and fostering relationships that can improve access to clinical studies. Continued exploration of recruitment strategies geared to the Black and African American community is needed to identify approaches to increase enrollment rates. Citation Format: Monique Gary, Laura Crandon, Tiffany L. Howard, Paul Bollinger, Natalie Bonilla, Jackilen Shannon, Catherine Dayger, Sarah D. Sawyer, Shifra Krinshpun, Adham Jurdi, Alexey Aleshin, Breeana L. Mitchell. Utilizing community engagement studios to increase clinical research participation from underserved communities: A case study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B061.