USA2 SPOTLIGHT 

A November 1, 2015 Diverse Elders Coalition blog post byLatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s executive director Jason Resendez framed the impact of Alzheimer’s on the Latino community and highlighted resources for Latinos at risk for the disease. According to the post, “While Alzheimer’s disproportionately impacts Latinos, low levels of awareness and high levels of stigma represent significant barriers to diagnosis and care. LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s, a network of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, was launched to address these barriers and to help cultivate a culture of brain health among minorities…Additionally, it’s important for Latinos to understand the cognitive health benefits available to them through programs like Medicare. For example, Medicare covers an annual screening for cognitive impairment without a copay for beneficiaries.”

MUST READS

A November 1, 2015 The Wall Street Journal article reported that “People whose families have a history of Alzheimer’s disease are much more likely to seek expert financial advice and are more likely to delay retirement, compared with people for whom Alzheimer’s isn’t an issue, says a forthcoming study from professors at the University of Utah.”

An October 31, 2015 Indystar.com opinion piece by Dr. David Burr underscored the need to increase federal funding for research to stop diseases like Alzheimer’s. According to Dr. Burr, “Scientific research is the most powerful tool we have against disease. Incremental discoveries made in the lab today are vital in developing new treatments for cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions affecting our community…If Congress doesn’t act, critical research will be disrupted, and those who are waiting for cures will pay the price.”

An October 30, 2015 The Kansas City Star opinion piece by Lewis Diuguid called for greater support of Alzheimer’s caregivers and families impacted by the disease. According to Diuguid, “In 2015 the cost of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to be $226 billion. That is predicted to rise to $1.1 trillion by 2050. Obama notes that “misperceptions about the disease can isolate and stigmatize people with dementia and their families.” That has to change along with stepped up efforts support families and caregivers, to slow the progression of the disease, its effect and ultimately find a cure so people can live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.”

RESEARCH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY 

A November 1, 2015 MedPageToday.com article reported on the potential of electronic medical records to “help improve patient safety, research, clinical outcomes for 10 neurological disorders.” According to the article, “But in September, Illinois-based NorthShore University HealthSystem published findings about extensions to the Epic EHR that promise to improve patient safety, research, and clinical outcomes for 10 neurological disorders, brain health risk assessments, and interventions for Alzheimer's disease. Precision medicine plays a role, and more than 2,000 NorthShore patients have already signed up to participate in a DNA biobank to support the effort.” 

An October 30, 2015 The Buffalo News article highlighted the work of the Dent Neurologic Institute and the impact of Alzheimer’s on Latinos and African Americans. According to the article, “The A4 Study holds particular meaning for Capote, a Cuban American whose maternal grandparents each suffered with Alzheimer’s. ‘Latinos in general have about 1½ the rate of diabetes as the general public, which makes us 1½ times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, because a lot of what happens with Alzheimer’s is wear and tear on the brain, and diabetes is a major risk factor,” Capote said. ‘With African Americans, the rate is twice as much.’”