Alzheimer's disease is more common in African-Americans than
Caucasians and is actually less common in Africans
than in either African-Americans or Caucasians. It
is very likely that this difference is linked to
contrasting patterns of diet and physical activity.
We have been working
on Alzheimer’s disease in the African American
community in Cleveland for many years. Awareness of
the disease in this population is low. Many myths
about brain aging may be found throughout the world,
particularly the belief that it is normal for older
persons to become demented. These myths are
especially common in the African American community
where the disease is under-diagnosed.
With the support of Pfizer, Inc. we have
established this program with the goal of enhancing
awareness of the disease in the African-American
community. A major conference focusing on African-American pastors is planned for
September 30, 2004. We
are also planning to study community attitudes
towards the illness.
Description:
Program
of education in the African American community,
working through churches, ministerial alliances and
community centers and organizations.
We are
developing educational materials for distribution to
the community through church bulletins, beauty
shops, senior centers, professional organizations,
community bulletin boards (cable TV), large
community events, and media. In addition, we have
planned a conference for over 200 African American
pastors and community organizations, scheduled for
September 30, 2004 at the HealthSpace Cleveland,
located at 89th and Euclid Avenue.
As a result of
working with the African American community
ministerial alliances, we have found a need to
provide more information and education on the topic
of health disparities of the African American aging
population. We developed a planning committee of
clergy, community leaders, organizations, and the
university faculty and staff, which met during the
months of December and January.
The result of these
meetings, have given us direction in developing an
educational program for the African American
community. Presently, we are contacting ministerial
alliances in the Greater Cleveland area, and are
requesting time on their agendas for upcoming
meetings to provide a
brief presentation on our educational project, and
requesting a follow up with the individual
churches. The information provided to the churches
will be:
-
what is
Alzheimer’s disease?,
-
why is it
important?, and
-
what can we do
about it?
In addition we are
planning a half day conference entitled:
What's up on the
Grapevine: Memory Loss, Health, & Research
scheduled for
Thursday, September 30, 2004. We are working with
the clergy, and targeting professional organizations
such as: Greater Cleveland Council of Black Nurses,
Minority Health Alliance, Cleveland Council of Negro
Women, Greater Cleveland Medical Association,
National Association of Black Social Workers, CMHA
(Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Housing Association).
Join the Laboratory of Neurogeriatrics September
30, 2004 at HealthSpace Cleveland located at
8911 Euclid Avenue (free registration, free
parking, breakfast and lunch)
Call 216 844 6365 or email
swh3@cwru.edu
Project Dates:
March 1, 2004 - February 28, 2005
Educational
need or public interest:
Alzheimer’s
disease is more common in African Americans than in
Caucasians. This is important because of the
modifiable nature of Alzheimer’s disease risk
factors: high fat diet, hypertension and physical
inactivity. Also, the disease is certainly under
diagnosed in African American, and many patients who
should be treated are not being treated because the
diagnosis is not made. This is also important
because of the aging of the community and the
age-related nature of the disease.
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