Black Representation in The Fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.
While older Black Americans are twice as likely as older White Americans to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia, research hasn’t yet identified the cause. Higher rates of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases may play a role. Some studies indicate that after correcting for overall health and socioeconomic status, these differences disappear. Yet still only 20% of Black Americans say that they have no barriers to excellent health care and support for Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
According to the Alzheimer's Association: Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
What are the symptoms of Alzeimers?
Symptoms of Alzheimer's are:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
