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Recruiting Elderly with a Migration and/or Low Socioeconomic Status in the Prevention Study OptimaHl 60plus

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Abstract

OptimaHl 60plus was a prevention study that included the participatory development and evaluation of an interdisciplinary counseling aid and aimed to improve the nutrition and physical activity behavior of people 60 years and older. The direct involvement of this vulnerable group in prevention programs might contribute to a reduction of inequities in health. This article describes the recruitment of the elderly, especially those with low socioeconomic or migration status, to the OptimaH1 60plus study. It presents successful strategies to reach and recruit the elderly. Community partner involvement, focus groups, translated intervention material, and involving the media all facilitated recruitment. The article gives recommendations for research, practice, and policy implications.

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Acknowledgments

This work was done as part of the OptimaHl 60plus Study. The study was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany. Support/Grant No: 01 EL 0703. We would like to thank all participants for their interest and community partners for their support.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bremen Institute for Prevention Research and Social Medicine, Department of Prevention and Evaluation, University of Bremen, Linzer Str. 10, Bremen, 28359, Germany

    Katharina M. Keimer & Jessica A. Dreas

  2. Catholic University of Applied Science, German Institute on Addiction and Prevention Research, Cologne, Germany

    Jessica A. Dreas

  3. Coburg University of Applied Sciences, Coburg, Germany

    Holger Hassel

Authors
  1. Katharina M. Keimer
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  2. Jessica A. Dreas
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  3. Holger Hassel
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Correspondence to Katharina M. Keimer.

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Keimer, K.M., Dreas, J.A. & Hassel, H. Recruiting Elderly with a Migration and/or Low Socioeconomic Status in the Prevention Study OptimaHl 60plus. J Primary Prevent 32, 53–63 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-010-0221-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-010-0221-9

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