Snapshot
A biotech company commissioned COUCH Health to increase the engagement of African Americans in their clinical trial for a novel heart disease drug.
The company wanted to ensure its clinical trials were inclusive and representative, particularly focusing on increasing African American participation to reflect the population’s higher prevalence of heart disease.
Problem
The sponsor had previously struggled with low participation rates among African Americans in their community engagement and outreach efforts. This underrepresentation risked the validity of any future study outcomes for this critical demographic and could potentially delay the drug approval process.
Strategy
COUCH Health initiated the following strategy with the aim of improving African American participation in the clinical study:
1. Local partnerships
Partnered with federally qualified health centres (FQHCs) that served predominantly African American communities, providing a trusted environment for recruitment.
2. Tailored communication
Developed and disseminated culturally sensitive educational materials and campaigns with input from community leaders who shared their insights into culturally relevant outreach.
3. Community-based research (CBPR)
Involved community members in the design and implementation of the engagement strategy, ensuring all communication was culturally relevant and aligned with community needs.
4. Support services
Provided flexible scheduling, incentives, and follow-up care to reduce barriers to participation and help support ongoing study engagement.
