Cultural Prisms For Alzheimer's

Differences in disease between races and cultures are usually discussed in terms of health care disparities or environmental injustices. These, of course, are very real — but more subtly, disease can also be perceived differently. As a new study by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America shows, blacks and hispanics are much more likely than whites […]

Differences in disease between races and cultures are usually discussed in terms of health care disparities or environmental injustices. These, of course, are very real -- but more subtly, disease can also be perceived differently. As a new study by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America shows, blacks and Elderlyman
hispanics are much more likely than whites to see symptoms of Alzheimer's as a natural part of aging.

Researchers say widely held misperceptions about the disease couldexplain why blacks and Hispanics are diagnosed later, after the diseaseis in moderate or late stages.

Part of that disconnect isassociated with lack of education about the disease and stigma in somecultural groups, said Warachal E. Faison, a black physician who workedwith the survey.

Survey: Alzheimer's is often denied [Miami Herald]