Washington, D.C. — [January 12, 2026] — UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is deeply concerned about the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias across all communities in the United States. Today, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease—a number projected to nearly double in the coming decades as the population ages. Addressing how brain health and Alzheimer’s risk reduction information reaches different communities is increasingly urgent. A supplement to the journal The Gerontologist explores this and other dementia-focused public health efforts in the U.S.

Black Americans are approximately twice as likely, and Latino Americans about one-and-a-half times as likely, to develop Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Acknowledging these disparities, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s examined how brain health and risk reduction information can be more effectively communicated to support awareness and action.

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s staff contributed to a peer-reviewed article featured in The Gerontologist examining effective strategies for communicating brain health and Alzheimer’s risk reduction information to Black and Latino communities.

The work draws in part on data generated by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and incorporates findings from a broader landscape assessment and focus groups. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s found that outreach is more effective when brain health information is clear, practical, and designed for varying levels of health literacy. Messages are more likely to resonate when they use familiar language, emphasize concrete actions people can take, and reflect everyday priorities such as family, independence, and caregiving. The research also found that trusted messengers—particularly nurses and other community-based health professionals—play a critical role in delivering this information through trusted channels.

“This work shows that reaching people with brain health information is not a question of willingness or interest—it’s about how the information is shared,” said Daphne Delgado, Vice President of Health Equity at UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and Principal Investigator. “When messages are easy to understand, relevant to daily life, and delivered by trusted local messengers, people are more likely to engage and take action.”

Read the full journal article HERE.

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s will continue to use research-driven insights like these to guide its work to end Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and address disparities in impact and outcomes across all communities in the United States.

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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]