How Race and Ethnicity Impact Alzheimer’s Disease Care

Half or more of Black, Asian, Hispanic and Native American caregivers said they have experienced discrimination while providing care. According to the report, the most common complaint was that health care providers or staff do not listen to them because of their race, color or ethnicity — a feeling that was especially true for Black caregivers (42 percent). About a quarter also said they were treated with less courtesy and respect than other caregivers.

Half of Blacks said that they had personally experienced discrimination in health care, although most (41 percent) said it occurred only from time to time. Just 9 percent said it happened regularly. The percentages for Native Americans were 33 percent occasionally and 9 percent regularly; for Asians, 31 percent occasionally and 3 percent regularly; for Hispanics, 27 percent occasionally and 6 percent regularly; and for whites, 8 percent occasionally and 1 percent regularly.

Varying perceptions of Alzheimer’s

Differing perceptions of Alzheimer’s disease among racial and ethnic groups also pose roadblocks to quality care and support, according to the report. Nearly half (48 percent) of whites are concerned about developing Alzheimer’s, compared to just 25 percent of Native Americans, 35 percent of Blacks, 41 percent of Hispanics and 46 percent of Asians.

The report suggests that personal experience may be influencing those varying levels of concern. Eighty percent of whites say they know someone with dementia compared to 65 percent of Blacks, 65 percent of Native Americans, 64 percent of Hispanics and 59 percent of Asians.

The report also found that a majority of Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans view memory loss and cognitive decline as a natural part of aging rather than a sign of disease requiring medical attention. Whites were twice as likely as Hispanic, Black and Native Americans to say they would go to a doctor if they were experiencing such problems.

Medical research

Although Blacks are disproportionately more likely to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias, they are more reluctant than other Americans to participate in clinical research trials aimed at preventing or slowing the progression of the disease. Eighty-two percent of whites expressed interest in such trials compared to 67 percent of Blacks, 73 percent of Asians, 78 percent of Hispanics and 81 percent of Native Americans.