Alzheimer’s is a scary disease that requires lots of support. However, new research shows that black people may not be getting all the specialty care available to help manage it.
A study done at one memory center in St. Louis, Missouri showed that black people were less likely to be patients, less likely to receive novel therapies, and less likely to be included in groundbreaking research.
Out of nearly 5,000 people getting care at the clinic, only 11% were black.
Since they weren’t getting specialty care, fewer black people were able to get the latest therapies in Alzheimer’s treatment.
The study also suggests that since the large clinic doesn’t have many black patients, that group isn’t included in research trials that study the effects of medications on black people.
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms like confusion, disruptive memory loss, and difficulty with everyday tasks talk with your doctor to see if you should be evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease. Starting care early can make a big difference.