Scholarlink

Background <p>Certain population subgroups, including people with lower socioeconomic status, racial and/or ethnic minorities, and individuals with lower literacy skills, face greater health challenges and participate significantly less in health intervention research. This leads to non-generalizable findings and interventions that fail to meet their needs. Despite the recognition of barriers, such as mistrust, limited access, and communication challenges in previous research, strategies to overcome these barriers are still insufficiently implemented. This review of reviews aimed to synthesize existing intervention strategies for improving the recruitment and retention of underserved populations in health intervention research across health domains and assess evidence on their effectiveness.</p> Methods <p>A systematic review of existing reviews was conducted in three databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus) to identify, summarize, and synthesize strategies used to reach, involve, and maintain underserved populations in health intervention research. The following inclusion criteria were applied: (systematic) reviews and/or meta-analyses published in English between January 2013 and January 2026, with a focus on strategies for the inclusion of underserved populations in health intervention research.</p> Results <p>A total of 18 reviews published between 2014 and 2026 met all inclusion criteria, the majority (<i>N</i> = 11) being systematic reviews. The findings revealed considerable overlap across reviews, underscoring that certain strategies are frequently used. A comprehensive summary of these strategies is provided, categorized based on their primary goal: (1) encouragement strategies to improve outreach to underserved populations, (2) facilitation strategies to improve their participation, and 3) retention strategies to maintain their participation. However, retention was rarely addressed as a primary focus in the included reviews.</p> Conclusions <p>After integrating evidence across reviews from diverse health domains and underserved populations, the findings of this review of reviews highlight the importance of a multifaceted recruitment strategy that incorporates and/or combines approaches and serve goals throughout the health intervention research process. Researchers should: (1) tailor research materials, design and interaction methods, (2) collaborate with local organizations and healthcare providers, and (3) offer flexible participation options and incentives. Additionally, regular assessment and adaptation of the intervention materials are crucial to maintain participant engagement and improve the intervention’s effectiveness.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Strategies to reach, involve, and maintain underserved populations in health intervention research: a systematic review of reviews

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月7日

查看全文
  • Jeroen Pronk,
  • Hristiyanna Ivanova,
  • Zeena Harakeh,
  • Annemarie Schuller,
  • Pepijn van Empelen,
  • Hilde van Keulen

摘要

Background

Certain population subgroups, including people with lower socioeconomic status, racial and/or ethnic minorities, and individuals with lower literacy skills, face greater health challenges and participate significantly less in health intervention research. This leads to non-generalizable findings and interventions that fail to meet their needs. Despite the recognition of barriers, such as mistrust, limited access, and communication challenges in previous research, strategies to overcome these barriers are still insufficiently implemented. This review of reviews aimed to synthesize existing intervention strategies for improving the recruitment and retention of underserved populations in health intervention research across health domains and assess evidence on their effectiveness.

Methods

A systematic review of existing reviews was conducted in three databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus) to identify, summarize, and synthesize strategies used to reach, involve, and maintain underserved populations in health intervention research. The following inclusion criteria were applied: (systematic) reviews and/or meta-analyses published in English between January 2013 and January 2026, with a focus on strategies for the inclusion of underserved populations in health intervention research.

Results

A total of 18 reviews published between 2014 and 2026 met all inclusion criteria, the majority (N = 11) being systematic reviews. The findings revealed considerable overlap across reviews, underscoring that certain strategies are frequently used. A comprehensive summary of these strategies is provided, categorized based on their primary goal: (1) encouragement strategies to improve outreach to underserved populations, (2) facilitation strategies to improve their participation, and 3) retention strategies to maintain their participation. However, retention was rarely addressed as a primary focus in the included reviews.

Conclusions

After integrating evidence across reviews from diverse health domains and underserved populations, the findings of this review of reviews highlight the importance of a multifaceted recruitment strategy that incorporates and/or combines approaches and serve goals throughout the health intervention research process. Researchers should: (1) tailor research materials, design and interaction methods, (2) collaborate with local organizations and healthcare providers, and (3) offer flexible participation options and incentives. Additionally, regular assessment and adaptation of the intervention materials are crucial to maintain participant engagement and improve the intervention’s effectiveness.