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What factors may impact the risk of developing dementia in older Black/African American women?
Tanisha Hill-Jarrett, Ph.D.
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA - United States
Background
According to the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report, older Blacks/African Americans are twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementia than older whites, with incidence even higher for Black/African American women. Studies have shown that racial discrimination and sexism can be some of the factors that may negatively impact cognition in Blacks/African Americans. However, the impact of gendered racism (the experience of both racial discrimination and sexism at the same time) on cognitive decline over time in older adults has not yet been fully studied.
Research Plan
Dr. Hill-Jarrett and colleagues propose a pilot study to examine the impact of gendered racism on cognitive decline in older Black/African American women. They will recruit 200 individuals aged 50 and older with varied education backgrounds. The team will administer a combination of online surveys to assess participants’ experiences with gendered racism and their coping methods. Lastly, the researchers will perform cognitive tests and interviews with a small group of participants.
Impact
The results may provide insights into what factors impact cognitive decline and risk of dementia in older Black/African American women. If successful, the findings may also help to address cognitive disparities and may prevent the risk of development of Alzheimer’s and dementia in underserved populations.
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