2023 Alzheimer's Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity (AARG-D)
Beliefs about Dementia and the Role of Culture among American Indian Families
How does culture impact beliefs about Alzheimer’s in Native Americans?
Heehyul Moon, Ph.D.
University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
Louisville, KY - United States
Background
According to the 2023 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures, Native Americans face cultural barriers in Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment and are underrepresented in Alzheimer’s research. Additionally, cognitive impairment is often accepted as part of normal aging in Native American communities, leaving older individuals with Alzheimer’s undiagnosed or diagnosed at later stages. It is important to understand Native Americans’ beliefs, perceptions, and knowledge of Alzheimer’s and how these may contribute to Alzheimer’s disparities in this population.
Research Plan
Dr. Moon and the team will form focus groups with 60 individuals of a local Native American community to better understand their beliefs, values, and their personal experiences with Alzheimer’s. They will also identify social and cultural determinants that may be barriers to Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Next, the researchers will use the focus group discussions to develop a survey that will be administered to a larger group of 230 Native Americans to study the association between exposure to Alzheimer’s and one’s beliefs and knowledge about Alzheimer’s prevention.
Impact
Findings from this study may shed new light on the beliefs about Alzheimer’s in Native American communities. If successful, the results could be used to develop outreach and educational strategies to increase Alzheimer’s awareness in this underrepresented population.