The ALZBrainTrust is a collaborative initiative by the Alzheimer's Association to address factors that result in underrepresentation in dementia-related clinical trials. By working with researchers, community organizations and key stakeholders, this initiative expands access to care, creates health engagement hubs in major metropolitan areas and builds a scalable model to increase Black and Hispanic American participation in Alzheimer’s and dementia research.

Hispanic/Latino individuals are about 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than White Americans, yet represent just 5.6% of participants in Alzheimer’s clinical trials. Similarly, Black/African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed but account for only 1.2% of participants. This underrepresentation highlights the urgent need to remove barriers to research participation and ensure clinical trials reflect the communities most impacted.

Our approach

ALZBrainTrust is working to make dementia research accessible in communities that have been left out for too long. Through regional hubs in Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston, the Alzheimer’s Association is building trust, fostering local partnerships and ensuring that clinical trials and research opportunities are accessible and responsive to the needs of underrepresented communities.

Here’s how ALZBrainTrust is doing it:
We are using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) model that centers community knowledge and experience. This approach helps us understand the systemic barriers to research participation in Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino communities.

National impact

Local chapters and regional impact

Illinois chapter

The Alzheimer's Association Illinois chapter serves 87 counties across the state with a clear goal: show up, listen and build trust. Partnering with faith-based organizations and local leaders, the Illinois chapter is helping make Alzheimer’s research more relevant to families. Outreach is bilingual, engagement is personal and each conversation helps address health disparities that have excluded many people.

Community partners:

• Messiah Temple M.B. Church of Chicago
• RUSH Alzheimer’s Disease Center - Latino CORE
• Telpochcalli Community Education Project (Tcep)
• UC Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Research Care (HAARC) Center

• Priscilla Barnes, Ph.D., MPH

California Southland chapter

Los Angeles is vast, and so is the challenge. The Alzheimer's Association California Southland chapter is addressing health disparities by starting at the community level, having honest conversations, reducing stigma, and ensuring Black and Hispanic communities are included in dementia research. The focus is on connection. Listening sessions, outreach events and culturally relevant education ensure local voices are heard and influence the direction of research.

Community partners:

• Advocates for African American Elders (AAAE)
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Beta Psi Lambda Chapter
• Grand Park Foundation
• Grant African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
• South Bureau Ministerial Alliance

• Karen Lincoln, Ph.D., MSW, MA, FGSA

Houston and Southeast Texas chapter

The Alzheimer's Association Houston and Southeast Texas chapter is all about trust — because without it, research doesn’t work. This chapter is working closely with churches, research institutions and grassroots organizations to understand what’s keeping people from participating in clinical trials and getting the health care they deserve. Every step forward comes from authentic conversations with genuine people who know the struggles firsthand.

Community partners:

• Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
• Community Family Centers (CFC)
• East End Communities Collaborative
• Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

• Luis Medina, Ph.D.

Funders

• Eisai, Inc.
• Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund
• Tom and Diane Detelich

Contact Us

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at ALZBrainTrust@alz.org.