Effects of sex, race, ethnicity, and education on online aging research participation.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the relationship of sociodemographic variables with older adults participation in an online registry for recruitment and longitudinal assessment in cognitive aging. METHODS: Using Brain Health Registry (BHR) data, associations between sociodemographic variables (sex, race, ethnicity, education) and registry participation outcomes (task completion, willingness to participate in future studies, referral/enrollment in other studies) were examined in adults aged 55+ (N = 35,919) using logistic regression. All models included sex, race, ethnicity, education, age, and subjective memory concern. RESULTS: Non-white race, being Latino, and lower educational attainment were associated with decreased task completion and enrollment in additional studies. Results for sex were mixed. DISCUSSION: The findings provide novel information about engagement in online aging-related registries, and highlight a need to develop improved engagement strategies targeting underrepresented sociodemographic groups. Increasing registry diversity will allow researchers to refer more representative populations to Alzheimer's and related dementias prevention and treatment trials.