Alzheimer's Association Releases Report on Race, Ethnicity Disparities

A report from the Alzheimer's Association found racial and ethnic disparities between people battling Alzheimer's, according to WFLX . The study determined that non-white populations expected and encountered more obstacles when accessing dementia care, and felt less confident that they can access health professionals who understand their ethnic and racial backgrounds and experiences. Forty-nine percent of Black Americans reported experiencing healthcare discrimination, as did 42 percent of Native Americans and 33 percent of Asian Americans and Hispanics. Black Americans also faced higher costs of care than white and Hispanic Americans due to additional co-morbidities and preventable hospitalizations. Moreover, less than half of Black Americans believed they had access to culturally competent providers. "It validates the statistic that has always been there, that African-Americans are two times as likely to have the disease," said Keith Gibson with the Alzheimer's Association in Southeast Florida. He agreed with the report that more diversity should be incorporated into clinical trials into cures or measures to slow the disease. Gibson added that the Alzheimer's Association is working harder to reach out to and nurture trust in communities of color.