The Duke Research Equity and Diversity Initiative (READI) was established in 2021 to engage Durham and surrounding communities in clinical research and build capacity to promote equitable access to research participation. Within READI, a voucher program was launched with the goals of increasing diverse participation in clinical research, improving community-partnered research, and enhancing community engagement. The vouchers leveraged a stand-alone, community-centered, outpatient research clinic, the Duke Research at Pickett (R@P) facility, which was originally opened to support COVID-19 trials. A formative evaluation of the voucher program was conducted with 3 voucher-awarded teams, READI personnel, and R@P staff. Data included 18 semi-structured interviews (n = 14) over two timepoints (Spring 2023, 2024). A rapid response analysis approach was used. Data indicate that READI voucher-awarded services were useful for voucher teams, with value for supporting community-engaged efforts, making research participation accessible, creating a community-centered and streamlined service facility, and personnel development benefits. Communication and flexibility of support services facilitated program implementation. Challenges occurred in service utilization logistics and incorporating community engagement into research support services. Ultimately, we find that a research support program with embedded community engagement support is feasible; this type of support can be integral in normalizing community-engaged research.

Objectives/Goals: This study aims to address mobility disability in the rural South by collecting advanced clinical measures in underserved communities, uncovering relationships between socioeconomic status, mobility, and physical health, providing data to aid clinicians in diagnosis and treatment, and improving healthcare delivery in disadvantaged areas. Methods/Study Population: We will recruit 50 participants aged 65+ years from a diverse range of areas in the rural South. Data collection will occur at community health fairs, employing a community-centered approach. Assessments include mobility measures using portable inertial sensors, physical health assessments: body composition (TANITA BC-568), muscle size analysis (ultrasound), central and peripheral blood pressure. Demographic information: We will analyze relationships between ADI, mobility, and physical health measures. This approach allows for comprehensive health evaluation in participants’ own communities, facilitating trust building and immediate dissemination of health information. The study design enables investigation of socioeconomic impacts on health and mobility in this underserved population. Results/Anticipated Results: Preliminary data from our ongoing community health fairs (n = 172) show promising feasibility for data collection in rural settings. Importantly, initial analyses reveal a significant correlation between higher area deprivation index (ADI) scores and reduced mobility performance, supporting our hypothesis that socioeconomic factors influence physical function. We anticipate further findings, including more detailed relationships between ADI and specific mobility parameters (e.g., gait speed and balance), associations between ADI and poorer physical health measures (e.g., increased arterial stiffness and decreased muscle mass), and interrelationships between mobility impairments and cardiovascular health markers Discussion/Significance of Impact: Building vital relationships with rural communities while uncovering critical links between mobility and physical health. By bridging urban science and rural needs, we are addressing health disparities and informing targeted healthcare strategies. Our findings will improve clinical decision-making and healthcare delivery in underserved areas.

Objectives/Goals: Pediatric inguinal hernia (PIH) is a common diagnosis managed by pediatric surgeons. Patients typically present in the outpatient setting for evaluation. However, a subset present emergently with hernia incarceration, which has a higher risks. Our research aims to identify and address disparities in access to care of PIHR. Methods/Study Population: This study has a sequential multi-methods approach. First, we will perform a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients (ages 0–18) who have undergone PIHR at St Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) over the past 5 years (n =  3,421). We will assess the impact of demographic and system-based factors on patient outcomes. Second, we will conduct interviews with caregivers of patients who have undergone PIHR. Qualitative interviews will be coded to prospectively identify themes in barriers and facilitators to accessing care, understanding of disease, and effectiveness of risk factor education by the pediatric care team. Finally, we will analyze the readability index (RI) of patient provided materials to assess the impact of health literacy on access to care and PIHR outcomes. Results/Anticipated Results: We hypothesize that demographic factors and socioeconomic status (SES) impact outcomes in PIHR. We anticipate higher rates of incarceration and emergent presentation of children from low SES and racial/ethnic racial minorities in our dataset, with longer time from initial presentation to definitive repair. Moreover, we anticipate identifying significant barriers to accessing care for non-white patients and patients with low SES, with gaps in understanding about the risk factors, presentation, and management of PIH. Finally, we hypothesize that the RI of our patient provided materials do not match community literacy rates, and there will be opportunities to implement new patient provided materials to improve parental education and communication in the perinatal space. Discussion/Significance of Impact: More than 600 patients undergo PIHR annually at a large tertiary care pediatric hospital, with those who are born premature being at higher risk. Using a mixed-methods approach, we aim to implement targeted interventions to facilitate access to care and improve patient outcomes in PIHR.

While community engagement (CE) has been increasing in the mental and behavioral health fields, evaluation of CE remains a challenge. Currently, there are no published evaluation tools that assess frequency of engagement, and many CE measures are not based on established engagement theories. Based on the International Association for Public Participation’s CE continuum, the CE team of the Mental and Behavioral Health Institute (MBHI) at a large pediatric hospital developed a system of measurement to describe frequency of engagement across eight initiatives. This tool, the Frequency of Active Community Engagement (FACE) measure, was administered to the leaders of each of the participating MBHI teams. FACE summarized CE frequencies for three target populations (youth, caregivers, and community members) for each team. Follow-up team meetings provided additional descriptive information for the development of CE goals. In this special communication, we describe this data collection approach, CE results, as well as future directions and potential uses for FACE as an evaluation tool.

Reference standards are vital for harmonizing heterogeneous clinical data for research, but little is known about their implementations or costs. We surveyed NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) hubs to assess operational dimensions of institutional implementation, maintenance, and use of the Logical Observation Identifiers, Names, and Codes (LOINC) standard. Respondents (n = 19,30%) exhibited substantial variability in approaches to implementation. Differences in number and training of staff and frequency of mapping updates make it difficult to estimate costs and comparability of data across sites. CTSA and other multi-site research can benefit from operational definitions and recommended processes for LOINC implementation.

Objectives/Goals: Access to accurate public health information is an essential component to ensuring health equity. We launched our social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to highlight, engage with, and bring culturally tailored and language appropriate health and research information to our target communities. Methods/Study Population: Monitoring engagement patterns with our content on each platform influenced the development of a range of innovative campaigns in both English and Spanish that were informed by our core values of inclusivity, trust-building, ongoing bidirectional communication, and co-creation. These three platforms were chosen to ensure reach and engagement with the different demographics within our target populations. The campaigns included those that provided relevant and accurate health information, highlighted the diversity of our team, uplifted our community partners, and gave voice to our community members. This content included health-related infographics, mini-documentary reels, video essays, interviews, and photos. Results/Anticipated Results: We assessed effectiveness, reach, and engagement based on the robustness of the analytics for each platform. Facebook content, the majority of which is in Spanish, appealed more to older, Latino community members. TikTok content appealed more to younger (under 35), primarily English-speaking community members, while Instagram appealed more to organizational partners and community health workers. A 2023 trendline analysis of average monthly Instagram content reach and interactions indicated a moderate-to-strong relationship between our tailored content and audience engagement. Storytelling techniques consistently outperformed other content types across platforms, and community partner collaboration drastically enhanced our visibility, reach, and further validated our approach. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Social media has become increasingly central to bidirectional information dissemination. Implementing tailored strategies and leveraging storytelling techniques is an effective means of engaging diverse audiences, enhancing public health communication, and building and maintaining trust by providing accurate, accessible information.

Objectives/Goals: To evaluate equity in utilization of free initial health evaluation (IHE) services among members of a limited health care program, the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program (Program), to inform intervention development and provide insights for similar healthcare programs. Methods/Study Population: We included Program members who newly enrolled during 2012–2022, and who had an IHE or were alive for ≥ 1 year after enrollment. Program administrative and surveillance data collected from January 2012 to February 2024 were used. We evaluated two outcomes: timely IHE utilization (proportion of members completing an IHE within 6 months of enrollment) and any IHE utilization (proportion completing an IHE by February 2024). We described IHE utilization by enrollment year and various members’ characteristics and conducted multivariable logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios for IHE utilizations to identify factors related to potential inequities for the two member types: Responders, who performed support services, vs. Survivors, who did not respond but were present in the New York disaster area. Results/Anticipated Results: A total of 27,379 Responders and 30,679 Survivors were included. Responders were 89% male, 70% 45–64 years old at enrollment and 76% White. Survivors were 46% female, 54% 45–64 years old at enrollment, and 57% White. Timely IHE utilizations remained relatively stable (~65%) among Responders across time and increased from 16% among Survivors who enrolled in 2017 to 68% among Survivors who enrolled in 2021. Timely IHE utilization was lower for younger members (enrolled Discussion/Significance of Impact: This study highlights Program achievements and gaps in providing equitable IHE services. Strategies to improve members’ equitable IHE utilization can include: adopt/expand flexible scheduling; increase non-English language capacity and cultural competency; and facilitate transportation/assistance for members with accessibility barriers.

The National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program (All of Us or program) aims to better understand the complexity of diseases, prevention and treatment at the individual level. To accomplish this, one of the program components is to build a longitudinal cohort of one million or more volunteers in the United States and its territories through which clinical, environmental, genetic, and behavioral data are collected. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a crucial role in enrolling participants in the program and while FQHCs have the dedication, leadership, and wherewithal to operationalize a national longitudinal data collection, their local resources are limited by funding and scope for conducting research. This paper describes the evolution of FQHC research landscape, from building capacity for descriptive, to exploratory operational research, and moving toward biomedical research. As programs such as All of Us continue to ensure that focus on precision medicine is reflected in both data collection and research, continuing to advance the research landscape within health centers is crucial. By developing this capacity, we are developing a research infrastructure that will continue to grow, supporting advancements in precision medicine for improving health outcomes.

Objectives/Goals: The purpose of this study was to explore pharmacists’ and patients’ attitudes, contextual barriers, organizational readiness, and preferences regarding implementation of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for chronic pain management in the community pharmacy setting in rural Alabama. Methods/Study Population: Pharmacists in independently owned community pharmacies and patients ≥18 treated for chronic pain in the past year in rural Alabama were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. One-hour virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted by Marketry, a qualitative market research company. Interview questions were guided by the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) and focused on 1) knowledge/awareness; 2) attitudes; 3) barriers/facilitators (e.g., demand, reimbursement); 4) pharmacies’ organizational readiness (e.g., technology, personnel, and culture); and 5) program preferences (content, format) regarding a potential pharmacy-based MBSR program for chronic pain management. Interview transcripts were analyzed using deductive content analysis to identify themes. Results/Anticipated Results: A total of 60 interviews were conducted (n = 30 pharmacists, n = 30 patients). Qualitative data analysis is ongoing and is expected to be completed by December 2024. Interviewee’s responses describing knowledge, attitudes, barriers, facilitators, pharmacies’ organizational readiness, and recommended program elements will be categorized according to the CFIR domains of “inner setting,” “outer setting,” “intervention characteristics,” and “characteristics of individuals.” Domains will be summarized with over-arching themes. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Findings are expected to inform development of a community pharmacy-based MBSR program for chronic pain management. This serves as the first step in building and implementing a sustainable, accessible community pharmacy-based program offering a nonopioid alternative for pain management in the underserved rural Deep South.

Objectives/Goals: This study aimed to identify preferences for nutrient-dense foods with critical nutrients associated with reduced neuroinflammation and perinatal depression risk. Aim two evaluated the acceptability of daily intake and preparation methods of select foods in Black American pregnant and postpartum people living in food apartheid in St. Louis. Methods/Study Population: The study included a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design with data collection at the YWCA of Metro St. Louis during Early Head Start programming with 21 participants living in geographies with low grocery-to-convenience store ratios. We conducted an open-ended online survey to determine participants’ preferences for specific foods with high nutrient density. Food preferences were subjected to nutrient analyses using FoodData Central, and foods with the highest concentrations of critical nutrients associated with reduced neuroinflammation and perinatal depression risk were identified. We presented results during a focus group with participants who completed the survey and evaluated the acceptability of daily intake and preparation methods. Results/Anticipated Results: Preferred food choices with the highest concentrations of critical nutrients associated with reduced neuroinflammation and perinatal depression risk included dark red kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, peanuts, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, carrots, spinach, red bell pepper, sweet potatoes, and salmon. Participant justifications for low acceptance of daily intake included allergic reactions, “dry” or “slimy” texture, undesirable taste or appearance, absence of cravings, preferring alternatives, complicated preparation methods, and financial tradeoffs. Participant justifications for high acceptance included desirable taste and texture, diverse modification and preparation options, and nutrient composition critical for anemia treatment. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The study identified nutrient-dense food preferences within a sample vulnerable to nutrient-poor alternatives and health consequences. Participant acceptance of nutrient-dense intake was contingent upon recipes fulfilling cravings, acceptance among persons preparing meals, and diverse options to prevent boredom with preparation methods.

The fifteenth annual Science of Team Science Conference, “Insights on the Science of Team Science: 15 Years and Counting,” was held virtually from July 30 to August 1, 2024. Two hundred participants from diverse backgrounds and sectors celebrated the evolution of team science and looked to the future. This paper presents a summary of the conference proceedings, highlighting keynotes, workshops, presentations, and posters that explored innovations in the science of team science. Notable topics included the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in teams and methods for evaluating team effectiveness. The conference fostered networking opportunities through an interactive virtual platform, enhancing community building among attendees.

Objectives/Goals: Community engagement is critical to promoting equity for those affected by clinical and translational research. Despite its importance, investigators rarely involve community stakeholders in ancillary projects such as secondary analyses. I use a study example to demonstrate how to meaningfully partner with communities in ancillary research. Methods/Study Population: Using data collected in a previous study, the aim of this secondary analysis was to examine whether pregnant women’s reports of social adversity during the third trimester were associated with their infant’s resting cortisol level at 1, 6, and 12 months of age. Community engagement at the study design phase included consultation with an institutional Community Advisory Board (CAB) whose expertise included lived experiences relevant to the context of the study (i.e., social adversity and pregnancy). Community engagement at the analysis and dissemination stage included deeper collaboration with three community research consultants (CRCs) from the CAB; all identified as women of color and mothers with relevant lived experiences. CRCs received compensation for time and effort and an invitation for co-authorship. Results/Anticipated Results: Consultations included written review as well as a live presentation and discussion with the CAB for feedback on the study proposal prior to submission for IRB approval. The focus of discussion was around the use of inclusive terminology and ensuring respectful and equitable representation of all participants in the original study, including those who reported experiences with social adversity during pregnancy. After receiving study approval, statistical analyses were finalized and CRCs actively engaged in discussions with the PI around the interpretation of results. CRCs significantly contributed to the development of solutions-oriented implications for practice, policy, and future research. All CRCs were co-authors on the study manuscript that was published in a top-tier international journal. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Community engagement in ancillary research is feasible and essential. True equitable collaboration requires partnership during all study activities, including critical phases (e.g., developing aims, data analysis). Researchers also should prioritize the use of datasets from studies that incorporated community partnership and engagement.

Objectives/Goals: To facilitate engagement between university researchers and Appalachian Kentucky communities, the UK Rural Research Hub (RRH) promotes Community Engaged Research (CEnR) and academic–community partnerships that have the greatest potential to conduct impactful research to improve health and reduce regional health disparities. Methods/Study Population: Through the UK RRH, a wealth of expertise and a range of services sustain successful CEnR. Hub coordinators provide research consultations, accelerate researchers’ engagement with the community, and facilitate the success of studies through study coordination, assistance with participant recruitment, data collection and interventions, and through dissemination back to the community. Results/Anticipated Results: UK RRH coordinators have supported numerous studies across the region. For example, RRH staff facilitated recruitment of and collected data from 40 Appalachian caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in a study to improve home environments for patient well-being. The study provided pilot data for a successful K23 application. Other examples of supported research include studies to improve cancer screening uptake, self-management of diabetes, and cardiovascular disease risk reduction, resulting in improved care in the community and often providing pilot data leading to larger national grants. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Research addressing the complex health issues that burden Appalachian Kentucky requires community engagement to be successful. The UK RRH is at the heart of successful CEnR that benefits researchers and communities alike.

Objectives/Goals: Engaging interest holders in research is increasingly common, and guidelines include creating engagement plans. A detailed plan may be especially helpful when researchers perceive engagement as difficult or less relevant. We tested whether a study’s translational stage or an investigator’s years of research experience affect their perceptions. Methods/Study Population: Since 2019, the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute Pilot Studies Program required applicants to submit plans to engage interest holders. Applicants in three cohorts responded to a survey about this requirement, including perceived difficulty developing an engagement plan, perceived relevance of engagement, and self-reported years of research experience (≤5, 6–10, and ≥10 years). Two raters assigned translational stage(s) of proposed studies: T0 (basic science), T.5 (pre-clinical to initial human studies), and T1 through T4. Separate analyses were conducted when multistage studies were coded as the earliest vs. latest stage and for individual stage vs. groups of stages (T0/T.5/T1 vs. T2/T3/T4). The Fisher’s exact statistical test was used to assess associations between variables. Results/Anticipated Results: Analyses included 67 participants. Developing an engagement plan was perceived as more difficult for studies at earlier translational stages when those studies were coded as the earliest applicable stage. This significant association held both when stages were grouped as T0/T.5/T1 and T2/T3/T4 (P  =  .03) and when analyzed as a single stage (P  =  .01); however, when studies were coded as the latest applicable stage, there were no significant associations. Similarly, when multistage studies were coded as the earliest applicable stage, engagement was perceived as less relevant for early-stage studies when grouped (P  =  .04), but not for individual stages or when studies were coded as the latest applicable stage. No significant association between years of research experience and perceived difficulty was identified. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Results show that investigators conducting early-stage research perceive more difficulty engaging interest holders, aligning with prior qualitative studies. These investigators may need more evidence of the value added to early-stage studies, targeted and practical training, and funder requirements to establish a culture of engagement.

Objectives/Goals: This study will integrate scientific evidence to create messaging about the modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and examine how culturally tailoring elements in message content, such as text and visualizations in infographic messaging, impacts cognitive processing of AD prevention messages among Black adults. Methods/Study Population: This study is guided by the two-dimensional theory of cultural sensitivity and the elaboration likelihood model (ELM). The two-dimensional theory distinguishes between surface structure (visualizations) and deep structure (text with embedded cultural features) in messaging. The ELM considers how message attributes influence cognitive processing. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment will test the impact of cultural features (surface vs. deep) and message type (text-based vs. infographic) on persuasive outcomes regarding modifying AD risk factors. Black adults will be recruited from local churches and randomly assigned to one of four conditions, after which they will complete post-test measures. Statistical analyses will determine the effects of cultural tailoring and message effects on outcome variables. Results/Anticipated Results: Guided by previous literature (Resnicow et al., 1999; Lazard & Atkinson, 2015; Lam et al., 2022), we hypothesize an interaction effect of cultural tailoring and message type, wherein surface structure infographic messages and deep structure text-based messages will outperform the other two message conditions, resulting in greater cognitive processing and more positive attitudes and behavioral intentions toward modifying AD risk factors. In addition, a research question asks whether there will be differences between surface structure infographic messages and deep structure text-based messages on outcome variables. The study will advance understanding of the effects of cultural sensitivity and visual vs. text-based messaging by integrating these literatures. Discussion/Significance of Impact: This research will contribute to the literature on culturally tailored health messages and persuasive effects of text vs. visual messages. The findings can inform the development of more effective, culturally relevant public health campaigns for AD prevention by reducing risk for AD through modifiable risk factors in diverse populations.