November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and this year, NHCOA joins the campaign “Never Too Early, Never Too Late“. Our intention is to underline the importance of identifying risk factors and adopting preventive measures that delay or even prevent the onset of dementia.
Dementia is a degenerative brain condition that affects over 50 million people globally, gradually robbing them of their memory, cognitive ability, and behavioral awareness. The gradual erosion of independence that comes with this disease is challenging for both those living with it and their loved ones. There are over 100 forms of dementia, with Alzheimer’s Disease being the most common, accounting for 50–60% of all dementia cases.
Currently, over six million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. During National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, NHCOA honors the resilience, courage, strength, and endurance of those facing this disease. We also recognize the support of families and caregivers who continue to stand by their loved ones so that they may age with dignity.
The number of people living with dementia globally is projected to triple by 2050, marking an urgent need to improve our understanding of the condition and to address risk factors associated with it. Alzheimer’s remains one of the leading causes of death among older adults, leaving affected families and loved ones with emotional, physical, and financial costs. This impact is particularly hard on the African American and Latino communities, whose older adults are more likely to develop dementia than any other race or ethnicity. Individuals with Down syndrome, also face an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
We at NHCOA recognize the millions of Americans living with this condition every day and all the caregivers, doctors, researchers, and advocates who support them. Collaborative efforts are essential to continue fostering hope. We must reaffirm our commitment to prevent, treat, and counteract the risks of this disease.
Beyond honoring the memory of our affected loved ones and dignifying their caregivers and families, our objective is to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia while maintaining our support for those affected. Commemorating this month allows us the opportunity to increase awareness about their realities, to combat stigma and misinformation around the condition, and to strive for better support and knowledge of the disease. In this regard, diversity in scientific research on the disease is crucial for all families and patients. Greater diversity in research leads to better results, which are reflected in more suitable treatments for Latino and Hispanic populations primarily. These outcomes provide doctors and scientists with appropriate tools and resources to make more informed, evidence-based decisions.
With Hispanic participation in the All of Us Research Program, health researchers can be more precise in their work, leading to a better understanding of this disease relative to Latino health. The All of Us Research Hub program has about 50 research studies dedicated to Alzheimer’s Disease, shedding light on treatments and disease behavior in Latinos specifically. Additionally, Latinos who join the research program can learn more about their health, contribute to improving the health of their community and future generations, and can even choose to pursue information about their health-related DNA. Moreover, their participation helps shape the future of research. You can still join the All of Us Research Program—for yourself, your family, your community, and future generations. We invite you to follow our Facebook page and watch our Cafecito con NHCOA episode that focuses on Alzheimer’s among Latinos and the importance of participating in research studies, such as the All of Us Research program.
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