Responses to Covid-19 and Research Participation Among Older African Americans

Despite higher risk of Covid-19 and barriers to health care for older African Americans, there have been few studies examining the effects of Covid-related risk perception on engagement in health behaviors and biomedical research in this population. Survey data on Covid-19-related health beliefs were collected from 236 older African Americans between October 2021 and January 2022. Data were analyzed using chi-square analyses and linear models. Participants reported high rates of access to, use of, and engagement in Covid-19 related preventative health materials and behaviors. Perceived risk for contracting Covid-19 was associated with a higher likelihood of engagement in preventative health behaviors, but not to participation in biomedical research. Those who reported more Covid-19 risk factors did not engage in more health behaviors. Participants were most likely to report an interest in virtual research participation. Those with increased life disruptions due to Covid-19 were more likely to be interested in research.