Mural Painting to Collect Sensitizing Data and Encourage Research Participation Among U.S. Latinos

Abstract

Purpose To describe a mural-based intervention that can be implemented in partnership with community members in Latino neighborhoods in order to improve awareness of barriers to recruitment/retention of U.S. Latinos in clinical research, while augmenting researchers’ access to sensitizing concepts critical for rigorous study design. Background Latinos in the United States suffer disproportionately from several chronic illnesses but are underrepresented as researchers and participants in National Institutes of Health–funded research. This lack of representation inhibits a nuanced awareness of the health needs of U.S. Latinos and hampers efforts to address a persistent lack of health equity among U.S. Latinos and other communities of color. Art-based interventions implemented in Latino communities are increasingly being recognized for their ability to bridge this gap and positively affect the quality and quantity of research partnerships between clinical researchers and U.S. Latinos. Method This article describes a mural-based intervention piloted in two predominantly Latino neighborhoods between 2016 and 2020. The design of this method was guided by community partnered participatory research practices and involved an Assessment–Diagnosis–Planning–Implementation–Evaluation approach. Results Mural painting addressed many of the participation challenges often associated with underrepresentation of Latinos in academic research and allowed for sensitizing interviews with key community members surrounding topics of interest to the research team. Conclusion Research methods that acknowledge traditional art forms, such as mural painting, create a space for building trust and spark interest in future research participation, while augmenting researchers’ access to sensitizing concepts that may improve the cultural competence of future studies, projects, and interventions.

Hispanics’ Perceptions of Participation in Research Studies and Solutions for Improvement in Participation

“…The logistical burden score is the sum of the scores of nine questions (i.e., questions 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15,16,17). The psychological burden score is the sum of the scores of seven questions (i.e., questions 4,5,6,7,11,13,14). The physical burden score is the score of question 12.…”

“…Furthermore, the lack of generalizability of research findings contributes to health disparities [9,10] since minority groups may not have access to or knowledge of new treatments. Despite the need to increase Hispanics' participation in research, there remains a dearth of studies that specifically focus on Hispanics' perspectives towards research studies and possible solutions to engage Hispanics in research [11].…”

Culturally responsive evaluation designs with Latine immigrants: Lessons learned during COVID‐19

“…All our participants chose to receive both resources and monetary compensation for participating. Previous reports have reiterated participants' desire for a more long-lasting return on investment for their time and energy, including a preference to be taught a skill as part of their involvement in an evaluation (Martinez-Hollingsworth et al, 2022).…”

“…While the Latine population constitutes over 19% of the US population, they represent only 1% of participants in NIH‐funded studies (Fischer et al., 2017; Moslimimani & Noe‐Bustamante, 2023). To better understand this discrepancy, we must acknowledge that in the past, US‐based minority populations have been harmed in the name of evaluation and research (Alvarado et al., 2023).…”