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    2024 Health Disparities, Policy and Ethics in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research (HPE-ADRD)

    Decoding Dementia in Latinos: Current Trends, Risk Factors, and Disparities

    What’s behind disparities in dementia prevalence within Latino subgroups?

    Jorge Llibre Guerra, MD
    Washington University in St.Louis
    St Louis, MO - United States



    Background

    According to the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures Report, older Hispanic/Latino American adults are about one and one-half times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older White Americans. Additionally, the larger Hispanic/Latino American community is a very diverse group of individuals with different cultural histories, health profiles, and Alzheimer’s risk. However, research exploring dementia disparities in Latinos relative to Whites is limited, and the reasons for differences in dementia prevalence among Latino subgroups are poorly understood.  

    Dr. Jorge Llibre-Guerra and colleagues believe that the relative contributions of risk factors differ within Latino subgroups and relative to non-Latino Whites, and this may explain disparities in dementia prevalence and disease progression.

    Research Plan

    The researchers will leverage data from the 10/66 group, which, since 2003, has led the largest ongoing population-based study in Latinos. They will study the data to explore trends in dementia prevalence, cognitive decline rate, and underlying risk factors in aging populations in Latin America. Next, the research team will compare data from the 10/66 group and other large population studies. They will study the data to determine differences in dementia prevalence and risk between Latinos and non-Latino Whites and between Latino subgroups. Finally, Dr. Llibre-Guerra and colleagues will establish focus groups and surveys in partnership with patient- and community-centered initiatives in Latin America. These will help them better understand research and care priorities in Latinos and identify barriers to early diagnosis, care support, and research participation.

    Impact

    The findings may contribute to the understanding of dementia prevalence and risk factors in diverse Latinos. The results may inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies, helping to combat existing disparities.  

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