Health Disparities, Race, and Alzheimer’s

Addressing inequities in brain health is vital for families, communities and the nation. By 2030, nearly 40 percent of all Americans living with Alzheimer’s will be Black or Latino. Black Americans are twice as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to develop Alzheimer’s; Latinos are 1.5 times as likely. It's time to make brain health equity a priority.

Sign Up For More Information About Health Disparities and Alzheimer’s

The Costs of Alzheimer’s for African Americans

The economic burden of Alzheimer’s and other dementias for African Americans was $71.6 billion in 2012. Caregiving for African Americans with AD represents the bulk of these costs—more than 60%. More than 60% of the costs are borne by the families of African American women with Alzheimer’s disease, and close to half of the costs are concentrated in the southern states.

Where people live can also effect Alzheimer's prevention and treatment for the Black community.

AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s is the nation’s first organization dedicated to building a coordinated national response to eliminate and address Alzheimer’s disease among African Americans. The fourth leading cause of death for older African Americans, Alzheimer’s disease has a disparate impact on African Americans.  

The Costs of Alzheimer’s for Latinos

We project the number of Latinos living with Alzheimer’s disease could increase from 379,000 in 2012 to 3.5 million by 2060—a growth of 832%—if a medical breakthrough is not discovered that cures or slows the progression of the disease. As the number of Latino families touched by Alzheimer’s disease increases over the coming decades—as individuals or as caregivers—the economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the Latino community will reach a cumulative $2.35 trillion by 2060.

Where people live can also effect Alzheimer's prevention and treatment for the Latino community.

LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s marshalls resources and action to address the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on our nation’s 55 million Latino families. Through a network of cross-sector stakeholders, LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s spearheads strategic convening and coalition building, legislative advocacy, and culturally tailored education and brain health promotion efforts across the country.

And learn how where people live can effect Alzheimer's prevention and treatment

Our Work Towards Brain Health Equity

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s established the Center for Brain Health Equity to strengthen our public health response to Alzheimer's and related dementias in communities of color. The Center is led by UsA2 in collaboration with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and Alzheimer’s Los Angeles and made possible by a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Healthy Brain Initiative.

Sign Up For More Information