EPI Aware Recruitment: FAQs

Below are some of the more frequently asked questions posed by Epi AWARE
participants. By sharing these we hope to answer some of your questions. If you have
further questions, please contact the Epi AWARE Study at 617-353-3768 or at
epiaware@bu.edu and a member of our staff will assist you.

Q. How was my name chosen for this study?
A. Some women were invited to participate because of their past participation in the AWARE Study led by Dr. Hyeouk Hahm at Boston University School of Social Work. Other women have contacted us directly through our study advertisements. Click here for more information on the AWARE Lab.

Q. What is the purpose of this study?
A. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between stress and health outcomes including pre-diabetes among Asian American women.

Q. Why is it important to study Asian American women?
A. Asian Americans (AA) are the fastest-growing population in the U.S. and comprise two-thirds of the world’s diabetic population. ​The risk factors that cause Type 2 diabetes – the most common form of diabetes – have not been systematically investigated in Asian Americans. ​ Chronic exposure to stressful experiences has long been associated with poor health conditions​, including Type 2 diabetes, in other populations. The goal of Epi AWARE is to study stressors experienced over the life course in relation to markers of pre-diabetes – and other health conditions – in Asian American women. Our hope is that the study will address health inequities and systems of oppression facing Asian American women across their lifespans.

Q. If I choose to participate, what will I have to do?
A. If you participate you will be asked to complete two (2) online questionnaires over the course of the upcoming year. The questionnaires will be administered approximately 6 months apart. Each questionnaire is expected to take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and will contain questions on medical and reproductive history, lifestyle, and other factors associated with long-term health including stressful experiences over the life course (e.g., discrimination, abusive parenting).

Q. 15-20 minutes seems like a long time. What if I can’t spend that much time in a
single session?

A. You will be able to save your responses and resume the questionnaire if you are unable to answer all questions in one session. You will receive reminders to complete your questionnaire.

Q. Will I get paid for completing the study questionnaires?
A. No. There is no payment for completing either of the study questionnaires.

Q. Will I be asked to give blood or other samples?
A. Study investigators will invite a randomly selected sample of 100 women who complete the study questionnaires to provide a blood sample and body size measurements. Not all women who complete a questionnaire will be selected for this phase of the study. If you are selected and invited to participate, you will be asked to visit the Boston University Medical Campus to have a blood sample drawn and have your body size measured (e.g., height, weight). The study will provide up to two (2) hours of parking during your appointment.

Q. What benefit will I get from participating in this study?
A. There is no direct benefit to you from participating in this study. Your participation in the study may contribute to increasing understanding of Asian Women’s health and may benefit future generations of women.

Q. What if I have questions about the study. Who will be able to answer them?
A. If you have questions or concerns at any time, contact the Epi AWARE study at 617-353-3768 or at epiaware@bu.edu. The investigators or a member of the research team will try to answer all of your questions.

Interested in participating in EPI AWARE? Click here to take our online questionnaire!