Guest columnist the Rev. Frederick Knuckles Sr. is health equity manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland.
Health equity ensures that everyone — regardless of race, income or geographic location — has an equal opportunity to achieve optimal health.
However, for individuals in underserved communities, achieving health equity remains a major challenge, especially when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to memory loss, confusion and behavioral changes, affects 7 million Americans.
The impacts of Alzheimer’s aren’t equally distributed, and underserved communities face unique challenges in accessing care, diagnosis and support. These disparities create a crisis that requires urgent attention and action to ensure fair healthcare outcomes for all.
A primary challenge underserved communities face is limited access to health care. These individuals are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, leading to difficulties in obtaining routine medical care, early diagnosis and treatment.
Healthcare facilities in rural or low-income urban areas may be scarce, and transportation barriers often prevent individuals from seeking necessary care.
These obstacles delay the early detection of Alzheimer’s, which is critical for improving outcomes and slowing disease progression. This lack of early intervention often leads to a later diagnosis, when the disease is more advanced and treatment options are less effective.
Cultural and social factors also contribute to the difficulty of addressing Alzheimer’s. For many racial and ethnic minority groups, there is a lack of understanding when it comes to Alzheimer’s, which leads to delays in seeking help.
In some cultures, cognitive decline is viewed as a normal part of aging. Symptoms may be ignored or dismissed.
Misunderstandings and stigma surrounding mental health and dementia may also prevent families from pursuing a formal diagnosis or treatment out of shame or embarrassment.
African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are at a significantly higher risk than white adults for an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. These communities also have higher rates of chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease — factors that increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
These groups often face additional challenges, including a lack of culturally competent care and healthcare providers who aren’t trained to address the needs of diverse populations.
The result is poorer health outcomes for these communities, which further exacerbates health disparities.
Financial barriers are another challenge in underserved communities. Many families struggle to afford the cost of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, particularly when long-term care or caregiving is required.
The economic burden of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is immense, and many families in low-income areas lack the resources for these costs, which leads to caregiver burnout and increased institutionalization.
Addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis in underserved communities requires a comprehensive approach focused on increasing health equity. This is a complex issue that involves healthcare, cultural, economic and systemic factors.
Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort to improve access to care, raise awareness and provide support for individuals and families affected by the disease.
By prioritizing health equity and focusing on the needs of underserved communities, we can reduce the disparities and ensure that ALL individuals have an equal opportunity to receive the care and support they need to navigate Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help. Call us at 216-342-5556 or visit us online at alz.org.
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