Minority Outreach
The MADRC contributes to a nationwide effort to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in Alzheimer’s disease research. Not enough minorities have participated in memory research in the past, so scientists and physicians don’t have enough information about the types of symptoms that develop in minority patients with Alzheimer's during the course of their illness.
What We Know about the African-American Community:
- Some studies show a higher rate of memory loss in African-Americans
- African-Americans have higher rates of hypertension and diabetes
- These conditions can increase risk of memory problems
- African-Americans are often diagnosed at a later stage of Alzheimer’s disease
Advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders are only possible when people participate in research. The MADRC study coordinators can help families navigate through the research process, provide support to patients and families and answer any questions participants may have. The coordinators are also committed to community outreach efforts and have established relationships with many area service agencies to help facilitate connections for participants and their families.
