Washington, D.C. (February 23, 2026) UsAgainstAlzheimer’s today announced the launch of the fifth cohort of its Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship, a national initiative designed to close persistent gaps in early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and expand culturally tailored brain health education in communities disproportionately affected by the disease.

Nurses, the largest U.S. healthcare workforce, often serve as the first, and sometimes only healthcare professionals individuals encounter. This positions them to play a critical role in early awareness, risk reduction, and timely referrals. Despite their frontline role, nurses receive limited dementia-specific education on Alzheimer’s disease and minimal training on strategies to promote brain health in the communities they serve. 

The UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship strengthens the role of nurses as frontline leaders in brain health. The program equips nurses with practical knowledge, leadership skills, and evidence-based communication strategies to support community engagement and patient education focused on dementia risk reduction. 

The 2026 cohort includes 16 nurses from 12 states, all frontline healthcare professionals serving communities at increased risk for Alzheimer’s. Black Americans are approximately twice as likely and Latino Americans about 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to white Americans. Yet these communities often experience delayed diagnosis, limited access to culturally relevant information, and persistent structural barriers to care.

“Too often, communities at highest risk for Alzheimer’s are the last to receive timely diagnoses and equitable access to care,” said Daphne Delgado, Vice President of Health Equity at UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “We’re incredibly proud that this program advances the role of nurses as frontline dementia educators and care connectors, particularly in communities hardest hit by the disease.”

To date, 45 nurses have completed the program and have reached 2,300 people with evidence-based, community-tailored brain health information, further expanding awareness and strengthening pathways to earlier detection. As rates of Alzheimer’s and related dementias continue to rise, early detection and risk-reduction efforts remain essential. By investing in nurse leaders who reflect and serve disproportionately impacted communities, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is working to reduce disparities in diagnosis and improve long-term brain health outcomes nationwide.

Learn more about the 2026 cohort here: Empowering Nurses to Promote Brain Health in Black and Latino Communities 2025

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About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s


UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is engaged in a relentless pursuit to end Alzheimer’s, the sixth leading killer in America. Our work centers on prevention, early detection and diagnosis, and equal access to treatments regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity. To achieve our mission, we give voice to patients and caregivers while partnering with government, scientists, the private sector, and allied organizations -- the people who put the “Us” in UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

Contact: Chantez Bailey, [email protected]