Work

Redefining the Use of Digital Communities: AD Knowledge in an Online Educated Cohort of Midlife and Older Blacks

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: The normalization of memory loss continues to contribute to diagnostic delays among older adult African Americans with dementia. We utilized an innovative recruitment method to establish a solely online study to examine perceptions and knowledge levels of Alzheimer’s Disease in a highly educated geographically diverse cohort of 223 African Americans aged 50-84. Participants were recruited through largely electronic communications. Sample participants were primarily female (n=196), with 51.1% having completed a master’s degree, and 58.2% of participants with household incomes of $90,000 or higher. Study findings revealed that although highly educated, 42% of sample participants believed significant memory loss was a normal part of aging and 59.6% felt that God’s Will was a possible cause of AD. A sizable majority of participants, 86.5%, felt most family physicians were not trained to diagnose AD. Findings underscore the need for physician and community education within diverse populations, regardless of education and SES status.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.373

Authors: Travonia Brown-Hughes, Alyssa Gamaldo, Corinne Pettigrew, Allison Caban-Holt, Nihal Mohamed, Roland Thorp, Jr

Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, Johns Hopkins University, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,493