Outcomes
The diminishing participation of AAs in genomic research and other health-related studies have led to growing concerns about health disparities, particularly among AAs and other ethnic minority populations. Lower- and middle-income level participants in AA-only studies yielded the highest rankings (see Figures 4, 5, and 6). Lower-income participants earning $45,200 were evident in Buseh et al., 2010; Edwards et al., 2008; Gordon et al., 2008; McDonald et al., 2012; McDonald et al., 2014; Pettey et al. 2015; Rodgers et al., 2015; Still et al., 2014; and Sussner et al., 2009. Income levels were adapted to model national household income guidelines of the Pew Research Center Report (Kochhar, 2018) and were classified as lower-income (representing less than $45,200), middle-income (representing $45,200-$135,600), and upper-income (representing more than $135,600). Researchers found disparities were specific to education in that research participants who were White and had a college education were more likely to participate in genomic-related health research (Henderson et al., 2008; Amiri et al., 2014; Gill et al., 2012; Lemke et al., 2010). Education and income data were grouped by populations. See Table 2. Education levels ranged from completed less than high school education to attended or completed college education. Education data illustrated in Figure 2 represents self-reported data collected during the research viewpoint assessment. Aggregate educational level data exclusively focused on AA viewpoints averaged 5% for less than high school education completed, 17% for completion of high school education, and 15% for completion of college education or higher. Aggregate educational level data across studies that focused on viewpoints from mixed ethnic minority populations averaged 6% for less than high school education completed, 17% for completion of high school education, and 15% for either attending college or completing college education.