In the United States, it has been observed that black Americans are reported to have a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to white individuals.
Their families frequently struggle to receive treatment from a medical system that is prejudiced against them, and they are less likely to receive a proper diagnosis.
Differences in Alzheimer’s in Black Americans
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 14% of Black Americans over 65 have Alzheimer’s disease, compared to 10% of White Americans in the same age group.
Due to the widespread misdiagnosis of Black individuals, the discrepancy is probably considerably worse.
Black Americans are anticipated to have a fourfold increase in instances by the year 2060.
Even though some risk factors may vary by race, genetics alone cannot account for the wide variations between racial groups.
The difficulties manifest much earlier in life. Diabetes and heart disease are two well-known risk factors.
Due to their geographic proximity to polluting businesses, lack of access to good dietary options, and other considerations, Black populations are more likely to experience both.
Alzheimer’s risk can also be increased by depression, hypertension, obesity, and ongoing stress.
Black individuals generally don’t get the same level of lifelong medical treatment as white people.
As a result, they do not receive any therapy at all for all of the illnesses that are risk factors.
Finally, they’re less likely to receive medication to treat dementia- and Alzheimer’s-related symptoms. And then there is the pernicious effect of living a racist life.
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Disparities in Treatment, Diagnosis, and Access to Healthcare
According to Dr. Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equality, and inclusion officer of the Alzheimer’s Association, racism is trauma that can create increased stress, which in turn can result in health issues including inflammation, which is a risk factor for cognitive decline.
They are less likely to obtain dementia-related medications, as per studies, which can assist with symptoms like hallucinations and sadness that make the disease particularly dreadful for families. These medications can help ease these symptoms.
More than half of non-white carers report encountering discrimination when navigating medical settings for the person they are caring for.
Their main worry is that service providers or employees ignore them due to their race.
Also, there are obstacles to receiving a correct diagnosis. White individuals in Alzheimer’s disease research studies had a 35% higher likelihood of receiving a diagnosis than black participants.
The shortage of Black physicians contributes to the issue. Only one in three of the country’s doctors identify as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, or Asian.
The care that Black people receive has been negatively impacted by this lack of representation, particularly as they age and lose the ability to speak up for themselves due to diseases like Alzheimer’s.
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