Promoting diverse perspectives: Addressing health disparities related to Alzheimer's and all dementias

Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Apr;20(4):3099-3107. doi: 10.1002/alz.13752. Epub 2024 Mar 9.

Abstract

Dementia research lacks appropriate representation of diverse groups who often face substantial adversity and greater risk of dementia. Current research participants are primarily well-resourced, non-Hispanic White, cisgender adults who live close to academic medical centers where much of the research is based. Consequently, the field faces a knowledge gap about Alzheimer's-related risk factors in those other groups. The Alzheimer's Association hosted a virtual conference on June 14-16, 2021, supported in part by the National Institute on Aging (R13 AG072859-01), focused on health disparities. The conference was held entirely online and consisted of 2 days of core programming and a day of focused meetings centered on American Indian and Alaska Natives and on LGBTQIA+ populations. Over 1300 registrants attended discussions focused on the structural and systemic inequities experienced across diverse groups, as well as ways to investigate and address these inequities.

Keywords: LGBTQIA+; disparities; diversity; racial/ethnic minorities; sexual and gender minorities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alaska Natives*
  • Alzheimer Disease*
  • American Indian or Alaska Native
  • Health Inequities
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities
  • United States / epidemiology
  • White