Kessler Foundation's Krch addresses strategies for including minorities in research studies

Denise Krch, PhD, research scientist at Kessler Foundation, is conducting a presentation on Thursday, April 19 during the online meeting of the Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR), Interagency Subcommittee on Medical Rehabilitation (ISMR) and Interagency Subcommittee on Health Disparities (ISHD).

The webinar, which is scheduled for 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm will be conducted via Microsoft Office LiveMeeting with a teleconference option. Access to the meeting is as follows:

Join the meeting. (ctrl + click to follow link) or use link:

https://www103.livemeeting.com/cc/geatingears1com/join?id=T9466T&role=attend&pw=s58%3Dz%26F5S

Meeting ID: T9466T; Attendee Code: s58=z&F5S

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Conference bridge telephone number: 1-888-296-6500/Guest code: 578277

Dr. Krch will speak from 1:15-1:35 pm on increasing the participation of minorities in medical rehabilitation research. The presentation is based on her recent talk at the 2012 Race, Ethnicity and Disabilities State of the Science Conference. Dr. Krch aims to address health disparities by promoting the inclusion of individuals from minority groups in rehabilitation research to ensure that the findings of clinical studies are appropriate for all populations.

"Recruitment and retention rates of minorities in research are substantially lower than they are for whites," said Dr. Krch. "The underrepresentation of ethnoculturally diverse individuals limits researchers' ability to understand the prevalence and consequences of neurological conditions and the treatment methods that would be most effective for these groups. Minority participation in research is a crucial step toward reducing existing health disparities. Researchers can do their part to reduce disparities by ensuring research staff is trained in cultural competence."

Her presentation will explain how to train a culturally competent staff as a means of increasing participation and retention of minorities in research studies. Kessler Foundation conducts research in people with cognitive and mobility deficits caused by multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders. Through its Outcomes and Assessments Research, the Foundation follows individuals from various regions, cultures, ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses from the time of disability throughout their lives to identify treatment disparities and quality of life post-disability. The Foundation trains postdoctoral fellows for careers in rehabilitation research with the help of funding from NIDRR and the National MS Society.

April is National Minority Health Month. The ICDR's goal is to promote coordination, collaboration and cooperation among Federal departments and agencies conducting disability and rehabilitation research.

Provided by Kessler Foundation