Background: Engaging diverse populations in biomedical research, including biospecimen donation, remains a national challenge. This study examined factors associated with an invitation to participate in biomedical research, intent to participate in biomedical research in the future, and participation in biomedical research and biospecimen donation among a diverse, multilingual, community‐based sample across 3 distinct geographic areas.Methods: Three National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers engaged in community partnerships to develop and implement population health assessments, reaching a convenience sample of 4343 participants spanning their respective catchment areas. Data harmonization, multiple imputation, and multivariable logistic modeling were used.Results: African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and other racial minority groups were more likely to be offered opportunities to participate in biomedical research compared to whites. Access to care, history of cancer, educational level, survey language, nativity, and rural residence also influenced opportunity, intent, and actual participation in biomedical research.Conclusions: Traditionally underserved racial and ethnic groups reported heightened opportunity and interest in participating in biomedical research. Well‐established community partnerships and long‐standing community engagement around biomedical research led to a diverse sample being reached at each site and may in part explain the current study findings. However, this study illustrates an ongoing need to establish trust and diversify biomedical research participation through innovative and tailored approaches. National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers have the potential to increase opportunities for diverse participation in biomedical research through community partnerships and engagement. Additional work remains to identify and address system‐level and individual‐level barriers to participation in both clinical trials and biospecimen donation for research.

Biomedical research in culturally distinct communities is often a challenge. Potential barriers to participation occur because science is presented in a format that lacks cultural acknowledgement. Investigations may also fail to showcase beneficial relevance to the communities or include them in true partnership. The history of biomedical research within Native American societies has been complicated by these issues. Historical trauma among many Native groups sometimes transcends into contemporary challenges in both recruitment to and participation particularly in biobanking research. The participants for this study included members of the Haudenosaunee, the People of the Longhouse. Native Americans, including the Haudenosaunee, endure some of the worst health disparities in the country. These include high rates of cancer, obesity, and diabetes which may be linked at least partially to genetic predisposition. Results from a Haudenosaunee urban population shared response on ways to improve recruitment strategies for biospecimen, cancer, and other health-related clinical trials. Mixed methods approaches were used, and community responses indicated the importance of creating trust through respectful partnership; promoting culturally appropriate recruitment materials; the need for a greater understanding of consenting and signature processes; the necessity for concise summary sheets; and a desire to have information that community member understand. Discussion items also include international Indigenous perspectives to biobanking and genetic-related health disparity research.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex health disparity in many Indigenous and rural populations. While it affects anyone regardless of race, age, gender, or other common differences among people, Indigenous and rural populations are at a higher risk of dying from colorectal cancer. An NCI Screen to Save (S2S) program was culturally tailored to promote awareness and knowledge of colorectal cancer and screening in both Indigenous and rural communities across a sector in Northeastern USA. Indigenous and rural community outreach teams at an NCI-designated cancer center partnered with a community advisory board to provide an indigenized/ruralized version of the NCI Screen to Save program delivered to both Indigenous and rural/suburban communities. In total, n = 79 pre/post surveys were obtained from n = 82 participants, who had an average age of 49 years. Findings demonstrated that Indigenous/rural participants in both off-territory/non-reservation communities and a tribal community that received a culturally tailored version of NCI’s S2S program were able to identify both smoking and tobacco use along with lack of physical activity as risk factors for colorectal cancer. Post-intervention, participants reported being more likely to increase physical activity. Most importantly, participants said they would be more likely to be screened for colorectal cancer along with their family and friends based on their cancer screening experiences. Culturally tailored CRC messaging is an effective means for increasing screening intentions and decreasing cancer health disparities among both indigenous and rural populations. Future research should include the relationship of diet to obesity-related cancers, greater integration of Indigenous-rural patient navigation programs, creation of more information on genetic screening, and quality improvement to service translational science initiatives.

For Indigenous populations, one of the most recognized acts of historical trauma has come from boarding schools. These institutions were established by federal and state governments to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children into foreign cultures through spiritual, physical, and sexual abuse and through the destruction of critical connections to land, family, and tribal community. This literature review focuses on the impact of one of the oldest orphanages, asylums, and Indigenous residential boarding schools in the United States. The paper shares perspectives on national and international parallels of residential schools, land, truth and reconciliation, social justice, and the reconnection of resiliency-based Indigenous Knowledge towards ancestral strength, reclamation, survivorship, and cultural continuance.

Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) are a concern for Indigenous populations and are associated with multiple chronic diseases. To address this concern, we culturally tailored and tested the feasibility of an evidence-based SSB-reducing curriculum. The modified curriculum was designed for Indigenous men and is thematically based on traditional values, ancestral teachings, and community strengths while promoting healthy lifestyles. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was used to develop an interview guide using an Indigenous-centered theoretical framework. Two Indigenous content experts conducted both individual and focus group interviews (n = 14) with urban community leaders and athletes. Two Indigenous qualitative scientists analyzed the data with the support of an inter-tribal community advisory board. Results included imagery utilization, the importance of water, marketing, taste, and building routine. These findings guided the development of 6-month Indigenous focused SSB intervention consisting of 12 in-person intervention sessions and 27 short messaging service (SMS) messages.