Hispanics Are One and One-Half Times More Likely to Have Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Than Whites
A
ccording to the Alzheimer’s Asso- ciation’s®
2010 Alzheimer’s Disease
Facts and Figures, Hispanics are about one and one-half times more likely than whites to have Alzheimer’s and other de- mentias. The report also indicates Afri- can-Americans are about two times more likely than their white counterparts to have Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Although whites make up the great major- ity of the more than five million people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Hispanics and African-Americans are at higher risk for developing the disease. There are no known genetic factors
that can explain the greater prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias in Hispanics and African-Americans than in whites. On the other hand, high blood
pressure and diabetes, which are known risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementias in all groups, are more com- mon in Hispanics and African-Americans than in whites. Socioeconomic factors, such as having a low level of education and low income are also associated with greater risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias in all groups. Data from a fed- eral survey of older Americans shows that African-Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately represented among socioeconomically disadvantaged people in this country. The Association’s new report points out that these health and so- cioeconomic factors probably contribute to the greater prevalence of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Hispanics and African- Americans.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the single larg-
est, looming unaddressed public health threat facing the nation, but we now know the threat is even more substantial in the Hispanic and African-American commu- nities,” said Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association President and CEO. “These groups are more likely to have Alzheim- er’s, less likely to know it and, as a result, less likely to receive available treatments and supportive services that can help them cope with the disease.” Diabetes and high blood pressure are potentially modifiable conditions. Better management of these conditions could help to reduce the prevalence of Alzheim- er’s and other dementias, especially if treatment were begun in people who have these conditions in midlife. Since diabetes
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Hispanic Network Magazine 7.5 x 4-7/8
Celebrating 18 Years of Diversity
HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE 59
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