Standing in the Gap: A Conversation at Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease Event

At CTAD (Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease event), I had an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Neelam Aggarwal about a critical but often overlooked part of the research journey: the gap between community engagement and actual participation in clinical research.

Community events are where interest begins—but not where participation begins. Many people leave inspired, yet they still need time, understanding, and support before they feel ready to step into a large academic medical center or university hospital where research is conducted.

This space in between—the place where people are learning, processing, and deciding—is the gap.

Why the Gap Matters

The research ecosystem often assumes that once people hear about research, the next step is enrollment. In reality, the transition from a community event to a major research site is significant. Many individuals face:

• unfamiliar environments

• historical mistrust

• overwhelming paperwork

• fear or uncertainty

• cultural and logistical barriers

• a need for more education and reassurance

This is why people rarely move directly from awareness to participation. The gap is where they form their understanding of research, build trust, and decide whether the next step feels safe and meaningful.

What Happens in the Gap

Diverse Research Now (DRN) and organizations like us operate in this crucial in-between space. Our work supports community members as they move from initial interest toward true readiness.

In the gap, people:

• process what they learned at community events

• ask questions at their own pace

• share concerns about participation

• gain clarity about consent materials

• learn why research matters for their health and community

• build comfort with the idea of joining a study

This period may last days, weeks, or months—and that flexibility is essential. When individuals have the chance to learn in a supportive environment, they become more confident, informed, and prepared for research participation.

The Impact of Proper Support

When people arrive at a research site after receiving support in the gap, they come with a different level of readiness. They understand expectations, feel more at ease, and are better equipped to stay engaged throughout the study. This leads to:

• smoother enrollment

• stronger retention

• better quality data

• more diverse participation

• improved community–researcher relationships

Proper preparation doesn’t slow research down—it strengthens it.

Why Funding the Gap Is Essential

For research to be equitable and truly community-centered, the gap must be intentionally supported and funded. Outreach events, trials, and research sites all receive designated resources—but the transitional space between them is often underfunded or not funded at all despite being where participation decisions are actually made.

DRN and organizations like us help bridge that distance. We provide the education, support, and trust-building necessary to guide people from interest to action. Without investment in this work, the pipeline from community engagement to enrollment remains incomplete.

A Call to Researchers, Health Systems, and Sponsors

If the goal is to increase diversity, improve retention, and deepen community trust, then the gap cannot remain unaddressed. Funding this space means:

• more informed participants

• stronger trial outcomes

• greater equity in research

• better representation of underrepresented communities

The conversation with Dr. Aggarwal underscored what many in community-engaged research already know: the gap is where progress begins, and organizations positioned in this space play a vital role in connecting communities to clinical research.