Engaging diverse perspectives is critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another dementia and access to risk reduction, quality care and treatments. The Association continued making strides in FY24 to expand its reach and respond with resources to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer's and all other dementia on underrepresented communities.

In partnership with the Ad Council and creative agency Lopez Negrete Communications, the Association launched new public service announcements through the "Some Things Come with Age" campaign in an effort to increase early detection of Alzheimer's and other dementia within Hispanic communities. Developed in English and Spanish, the campaign celebrates the positive aspects of aging while raising awareness of the early signs and symptoms of the disease. The campaign web page has received over 2.4 million visits, with users making more than 508,000 internal clicks to engage and download resources.

Through its Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Emory University, the Association launched a free, interactive public health curriculum on health equity and dementia. Designed for public health professionals, students and educators, the course is a resource to deepen their knowledge of the interactions of health equity and dementia. In FY24, 733 people enrolled in the training. 

To help tribal organizations prepare communities for the growing threat of Alzheimer's and all other dementia, the Association and the CDC jointly write and facilitate the implementation of The Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples. Development of the new guidebook kicked off in FY24 with support from over 200 community members and experts. It will build upon momentum generated by the first edition in providing tribal leaders with strategies to help shape the public health response to dementia in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

The Association developed and strengthened partnerships with trusted national and local organizations in FY24. A new partnership with the Open and Affirming Coalition (ONA) of the United Church of Christ aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer's and all other dementia among LGBTQ+ communities across the country in collaboration with leaders of faith.

The Association announced a two-year partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. — the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men — to promote brain health and support those affected by Alzheimer's and other dementia through awareness and education.

A new partnership with the United Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry will connect its more than 10,000 members with the Association for education, engagement and volunteer opportunities. The Association also established a partnership between Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. — an international, historically Black sorority with more than 500 chapters — to raise concern and awareness of Alzheimer's and provide care and support for those impacted by dementia.

In June, the Association brought together members from several national diversity, equity and inclusion partner organizations and trained nearly 200 new Health Equity Awareness Champions. These volunteers will deliver presentations to raise awareness of the disease and reach more individuals and families in underrepresented and underserved communities.

The Association and Gdavis Productions and Films, LLC, brought "Unforgettable," a dynamic and emotional stage play that showcases the effects of caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer's in an easy-to-understand and relatable way, to new audiences in FY24. Eighty-seven percent of respondents to post-show surveys agreed or strongly agreed that the play provided insight into the importance of culturally tailored education and representation. By engaging 150 national and local partners, the play has also enabled the Association to extend its reach into underserved communities. 

The Association strengthened the impact of these partnerships through the creation of ALZ Health Equity Coalitions — grassroots coalitions tasked with building on the momentum created by "Unforgettable" in local communities. These coalitions work with the Association to ensure greater health equity by improving the state of diagnosis and care for underserved communities.

The Association sponsored the third annual Black Men's Brain Health Conference, bringing together leading brain health and dementia researchers and community leaders. The conference, which had over 2,000 in-person and virtual attendees, focused on the development of community-based strategies for engaging more Black men in Alzheimer's and dementia research. The Association, in collaboration with the Black Men's Brain Health leadership, selected 10 emerging scholars to receive additional funding and support.