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Human Rights Campaign and Alzheimer’s Association Announce New Partnership to Support LGBTQ Individuals Affected by Alzheimer’s and other Dementia

Human Rights Campaign and Alzheimer’s Association Announce New Partnership to Support LGBTQ Individuals Affected by Alzheimer’s and other Dementia
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May 31, 2022
Email: media@alz.org
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CHICAGO, May 31, 2022 — The Alzheimer’s Association and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently announced a new partnership aimed at providing Alzheimer’s disease information and resources to LGBTQ communities. Working with over three million HRC members across the country, the partnership will seek to maximize support for LGBTQ individuals and their families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

“Ongoing conversations and discussions about health equity and health disparities allow diversity and inclusion to strengthen our innovative capacity,” said Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Alzheimer’s Association. “When we actively seek diverse perspectives, we unleash the full potential of our society, and that’s what we at the Alzheimer’s Association hope to accomplish with HRC and other partners representing diverse communities.”

Currently, there are more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease. More than 7% of LGBTQ individuals are living with dementia. LGBTQ individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia face unique disease-related challenges, including smaller support networks, lower rates of access to care and greater health disparities, many of which are risk factors for dementia, including depression, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

“HRC looks forward to working with the Alzheimer’s Association to increase access to care and support for LGBTQ+ individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia,” said Dan Stewart, associate director, Human Rights Campaign. “As a gerontologist and a trans individual, I have seen the unique challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face in accessing dementia care and services. This partnership can make great strides in advocating and addressing the needs of our community, which is too often overlooked.”

In conjunction with the partnership, the Alzheimer’s Association will join HRC and other LGBTQ community leaders in an upcoming virtual forum “ALZPride: Voices of the LGBTQ Community'' on June 2 to address current barriers to ensure LGBTQ individuals have access to dementia care, support and resources. To register, visit, “ALZPride: Voices of the LGBTQ Community.”

Formed in 1980, HRC works to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus community members who use different language to describe identity are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
 

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

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