Studies across 39 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the prevalence of dementia diagnoses at baseline visits was far greater among White individuals recruited for ADRC studies than Black recruits—despite population–based research showing that among people who are 65 years or older, Black individuals are more likely than those of other races and ethnicities to have Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD). The findings, which demonstrate that participants enrolled in ADRC studies may not be representative of the general population of individuals with ADRD, were published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Why This Is Important: African Americans have higher rates of diabetes and hypertension. Both conditions contribute to dementia. The authors concluded that “it is incumbent on the medical community to cultivate trust and provide education on ADRD to promote more equitable access to health care and increased enrollment in clinical research for racial/ethnic minority populations.”
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