Exploring Brain Scan Hesitancy
Summary: Asian Americans, particularly South and East Asian older adults, exhibit greater hesitancy towards participating in health research involving MRI brain scans compared to their white counterparts. The study surveyed older adults on their perceptions of MRI scans, willingness to learn scan results, and attitudes towards research participation and dementia.
Findings indicate a need for culturally sensitive approaches to encourage participation and improve representation in health studies. Addressing these hesitancies could lead to more inclusive research outcomes and better understanding of health issues affecting diverse populations.
Asian Americans are less likely than their white peers to participate in health research involving MRIs and addressing this hesitancy could improve research, according to a Rutgers Health-led study.
Findings by the researchers, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, a journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, surveyed older adults about their experiences and perceptions of MRI brain imaging scans, their desire to learn results of scans and their attitudes related to dementia and overall research participation.
