Alzheimer’s ‘Epidemic’ Hitting Minorities Hardest
Blacks, Hispanics at much higher risk for the illness, which carries huge price tag, report finds
By Steven Reinberg- HealthDay Reporter
Over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and blacks and Hispanics are at highest risk of developing the disease, a new report finds.
The report, 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, from the Alzheimer’s Association, finds that black Americans are about two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than whites, and Hispanics face about 1.5 times the risk.
“Alzheimer’s is continuing to be on the rise,” said Maria Carrillo, the association’s senior director of medical and scientific relations. “So many people are affected by it across the country, but we are rallying to highlight the disparities that exist in populations,” she said.
Visit www.eldercareathome.org for information and assistance with home care for an aging loved one in the Broward County FL area.
Elayne Forgie has been a professional geriatric care manager for over 20 years and was a founding Board Member of the Florida Geriatric Care Managers Association. She is the President/CEO of ElderCare at Home, Inc. and The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center. Information on this website or contained in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider.
