As you can see in this graph, combining evidence from available studies shows that African Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for Alzheimer's.
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While African Americans are about two times more likely than whites to have Alzheimer's and other dementias, they are only 34% more likely to have a diagnosis.
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Hispanics are about one and one-half times more likely than whites to have Alzheimer's and other dementias, but they are only 18% more likely to be diagnosed.
"Everyone should be concerned, but African Americans are twice as likely to have Alzheimer's, less likely to receive a diagnosis and more likely to be diagnosed in later stages," says Joanne Pike, vice president of programs for the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago.
By 2050, Latino, Black, Asian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaska Native people will comprise more than 42% of the elder population (Chop, 2013). Additionally, the U.S. older adult population includes millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Researchers estimate that there are 2.7 million LGBT people over the age of 50, and that number is increasing rapidly as the baby boomers age and more people self-identify as LGBT.
It is important to note that while we need to speak of LGBT older adults as a discrete community because many share the same challenges, LGBT people are found within every community and the LGBT older adult population is one of tremendous racial, ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. For example, one in five (20 percent) of LGBT older adults are people of color.
