The CHAMP Health and Resource Fair identified elevated A1C levels in 38% of screened Black refugees and successfully recruited 62 middle-older age adults for dementia research.
Observational (n=200)
No
Community-based health and resource fairs can effectively identify high-risk individuals for health conditions and successfully recruit underrepresented populations like Black refugees into research.
Objectives/Goals: Community engagement has long been an underutilized strategy when conducting dementia research, especially for the recruitment of high-risk communities such as refugees. We created CHAMP: Championing Healthy Aging in Multicultural Populations Health and Resource Fair, aimed to promote early cognitive screening in aging Black refugees. Methods/Study Population: On August 9, 2025, the Health and Aging from Multicultural Perspectives Lab (HAMPLAB), in partnership with Global Lexington and the Lexington Senior Center, hosted the inaugural CHAMP Health and Resource Fair. Twenty-two vendors participated in the fair, including the Neurology department, pharmaceutical practice department, Bluegrass Lions Diabetes Project, local fire department, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Over 200 Black refugees in Lexington Kentucky and 18 volunteers attended the event. Complimentary services provided at the health and resource fair include health screening (e.g., A1C and blood pressure measurements), fresh food produce, fire safety, and back-to-school supplies. Results/Anticipated Results: Thirty-eight percent of the 55 attendees screened for A1C exhibited elevated levels. Many of these individuals were not previously diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes and were offered counseling and follow-up. Also, over 100 people were screened for high blood pressure, and 62 eligible middle-older age adults signed up for various dementia research participation. These results indicate the importance of community-based events in which high-risk individuals can be identified and presented with practical next steps. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The CHAMP Health and Resource Fair illustrates the dual benefit of community engagement: advancing public health awareness through immediate health feedback and strengthening recruitment for ongoing research initiatives.
Esiaka et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Dementia risk and general health in Black refugees (n=200). CHAMP Health and Resource Fair was evaluated on Elevated A1C levels among screened attendees. The CHAMP Health and Resource Fair identified elevated A1C levels in 38% of screened Black refugees and successfully recruited 62 middle-older age adults for dementia research.