Abstract A007: Expanding clinical trial awareness among Black communities through digital engagement
Authors: Cohn Eliza B. , Nguyen Ryan Huu-Tuan , Carnahan Leslie , Salum Kauthar , Hippalgaonkar Neha , Mersha Tigist , Williams Ana , Block Robbin , Hoskins Kent , Henderson Vida 
Published: December 2023

Background: Black patients are less likely to be enrolled in clinical trials compared with White patients, resulting in reduced access to breakthrough treatments and limited understanding of treatment effect. Ineffective dissemination of cancer research, education, and interventions among the public contributes to cancer inequities. Dissemination rarely involves non-research audiences and end-users. We conducted community-engaged research through focus groups with Black community members and family members of cancer survivors. Through these efforts, we are creating a culturally responsive public service announcement (PSA) video to increase clinical trial awareness among Black audiences. Methods: We conducted 5 focus groups over two phases with 1) social support networks of Black cancer survivors (n=20) and 2) Black community members (n=30) to inform the PSA to be disseminated through media and public health outlets. A final focus group will be conducted to elicit video feedback after production. Phase 1 focus groups informed PSA content. Data was triangulated with qualitative data from Black women with breast cancer, oncologists, clinical trial staff, and advocates from a concurrent study about clinical trial participation. Phase 2 focus groups sought feedback on video content prior to production. Content and thematic analyses identified themes and recommendations. Results: For Phases 1 and 2, we used maximum variation sampling to recruit Black participants (n = 50) varied in age, geographic region, education, and gender. Phase 1 themes included: 1) clinical trial mistrust due to experiences of racism persists, but diminishes with younger respondents or those who participated in clinical trials; 2) clinical trial trust-building was associated with transparency from medical experts and information relayed by someone in the Black community and from clinical trial participants; 3) invasive procedures impact views on risks and benefits of participation; 4) messages that are not coercive, but support decision-making are more credible; and 5) sharing the PSA on social media with links to primary resources was recommended. Phase 2 participants reported that the: 1) storyline and script were informative, culturally representative, realistic, and understandable; 2) participants saw themselves in the characters and family dynamics; 3) opening scene should be altered to avoid racial stereotypes; and 4) storyline elicited desire to pursue additional information before making a decision about participation. The script triggered discussion about factors impacting low clinical trial participation and ineffective information dissemination to Black communities. The revised script integrated participant feedback; the video is under production. The PSA is planned to be aired on a national cable network. Conclusions: By eliciting and integrating feedback from Black community members, we developed a culturally representative and responsive PSA that facilitates agency for decision making and information seeking about clinical trials that can be widely disseminated.

Citation Format: Eliza B. Cohn, Ryan Huu-Tuan Nguyen, Leslie Carnahan, Kauthar Salum, Neha Hippalgaonkar, Tigist Mersha, Ana Williams, Robbin Block, Kent Hoskins, Vida Henderson. Expanding clinical trial awareness among Black communities through digital engagement [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A007.