As the U.S. population grows older, supporting healthy aging becomes even more important. Yet older adults are often underrepresented in health research, even among studies on issues that most often affect them.
To increase health researchers’ engagement of older people, CARE coordinates two community advisory boards, called Boards of Older Adult Advisors (BOAAs). BOAA meetings are co-facilitated by CARE and the Wisconsin Network for Research Support.
Madison BOAA members predominantly identify as Black, with diverse personal and professional backgrounds. Rural BOAA members all identify as white, and include military veterans, farmers, and residents of under-resourced communities.
Health researchers meet with one or both BOAAs to get their input throughout the research process, from study design to recruiting materials to data analysis to dissemination strategies.
To learn more about bringing your research questions to the BOAAs, contact Diane at farsetta@wisc.edu or 608-265-9542.
The Rural and Madison BOAAs were launched with support from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (#EACB-22560).
