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How Race and Ethnicity Impact Alzheimer s Care Perceptions

Differing views of dementia from Blacks Hispanics Whites Asians and Native Americans

FG Trade/Getty Images For the estimated 6 million older Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, race and ethnicity are a barrier to quality medical care, according to a new report from the Alzheimer's Association. The special report on “” found that 66 percent of Black Americans believe it would be hard for them to get what they perceive as “excellent” care for the brain disease. That view was shared by 40 percent of Native Americans, 39 percent of Hispanics and 34 percent of Asian Americans. All were also likely to distrust medical research and unlikely to believe health care professionals empathize with them. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. "Clearly, discrimination, lack of diversity among health care professionals, and mistrust in medical research create significant barriers to care and demand the country's full attention,” Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., MPH, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer of the Alzheimer's Association, said in a statement.

Alzheimer s and Discrimination

Thirty-six percent of Blacks, 18 percent of Hispanics and 19 percent of Asians believe discrimination would be a barrier to receiving Alzheimer's care.
Half or more of non-white caregivers say they when navigating health care settings for their care recipient. Only 48 percent of Blacks and 47 percent of Native Americans feel confident there is access to health care providers who are culturally competent. 62 percent of Blacks believe medical research is biased against people of color. Source: “Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer's in America" The special report, which was released in conjunction with the 2021 , contains a trove of information on racial and ethnic disparities related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia gleaned from surveys of U.S. adults and caregivers of adults aged 50 and older with cognitive issues. The surveys were conducted in October and November 2020.

Barriers to quality care

Regardless of race or ethnicity, survey respondents see affordability as the most likely barrier to excellent care and support for — ranging from 70 percent of Asians to 52 percent of Blacks. To a lesser extent, Americans also see lack of health insurance coverage, services missing in their community, and a lack of family and community support as likely barriers. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. . Source: “Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer's in America" 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. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers >

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 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. Blacks were twice as likely as other groups to say they “don't trust medical research” and more than twice as likely to say they “might not be treated fairly.” Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) believe that medical research is biased against people of color — a view shared by 45 percent of Asians, 40 percent of Native Americans, 36 percent of Hispanics and 31 percent of whites. "We must continue to accelerate efforts to engage more people from underrepresented populations in Alzheimer's disease research and clinical trials,” Maria Carrillo, Ph.D., chief science officer of the Alzheimer's Association, said in a statement. “If trials do not include diverse participants, it is impossible to get a complete understanding of how racial and ethnic differences may affect the benefit and safety of potential treatments. Future clinical trial structures and recruitment efforts must lead to a better representation of the entire population, so everyone benefits from advances in Alzheimer's and dementia research." More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS