288 Culturally tailoring infographic messages to increase Alzheimer’s prevention among Black adults

Abstract

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.