Health and health care disparities — rooted in structural racism — continue to affect people of color, as examined in the Alzheimer’s Association's Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures 2021 report and the accompanying special report Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer's in America. While older Black Americans are twice as likely as older white Americans to have Alzheimer's or another dementia, research has yet to identify the reasons why.

We do know that Black men are among the most underrepresented group in clinical studies and research. According to the report, 62% of Black Americans believe that medical research is biased against people of color. A history of exclusion from clinical trials and a lasting history of discrimination from the medical establishment contribute to high levels of mistrust of clinical trials among Black Americans.

To help raise awareness and knowledge of Black men’s brain health, the Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring the 2023 Black Men’s Brain Health Conference on February 8-9, which is free to attend and has a virtual option. The conference aims to not only reach scientists and researchers in understanding why Black men are more prone to Alzheimer’s, dementia and other brain disorders but also to connect with the community to increase representation of Black men in scientific research. 

“It makes sense that we have these kinds of convenings to discuss these topics to make sure that the people who are traditionally excluded from these kinds of research studies can get a seat at the table” said Percy Griffin, PhD, MSc, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer's Association, who is on the Leadership Team and Oversight Board for the conference.

He emphasizes the need for long-term community partnerships that will not only ensure that scientific objectives are met but also improve the health of the community overall.

“In these communities, it's not a sprint. It's a marathon. But you have to make sure that these are long-lasting partnerships,” said Griffin. “This conference is, in my opinion, one of the more unique ones because it doesn't just bring together scientists and researchers — it does that — but also in the room are people who go into the community and talk to, outreach into, these kinds of populations as well as people from the community themselves. Last year, for example, we had someone who had started trying to promote Black men's health in a barbershop.”

Griffin emphasizes the importance of representation in clinical studies, a finding from the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in 2021. 

“People from underrepresented backgrounds are more likely to sign up for a study if the person asking them looks like them,” said Griffin. “If you don’t have people who look like these underrepresented communities on the research side, you’re going to have problems with recruitment. This is an effort to train the next generation.”

Register for the conference for free on the 2023 Black Men’s Brain Health Conference website. To learn more about ongoing local programs, visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

By Shanna Howard, communications manager, Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter 

Resources:

“Alzheimer’s & Dementia Conversations: Changing the Face of Research”
Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. CT.

2023 Black Men’s Brain Health Conference
Feb. 8-9, Virtual and in Tempe, AZ

Alzheimer’s Association’s Black Americans and Alzheimer's webpage