New York, NY, February 3, 2021 —The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) International Health Commission and the Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter hosted a virtual community forum on Saturday, January 30, as part of a three-year partnership between the two organizations. This was the first forum in New York City and featured Reverend Dr. Lisa Williamson, pastor at Brooklyn’s Calvary Fellowship AME Church, and Dina Johnson, director of care and support, Alzheimer's Association.
Rev. Dr. Williamson said, “Our community has experience with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss, and they also have many questions and concerns. The Alzheimer’s Association is working with us in New York City to provide our members with answers and to help them understand more about risk factors and ways to protect their brain health.”
The partnership between the AMEC International Health Commission and the Alzheimer's Association was
announced in October 2019 with the aim of educating and engaging U.S.-based AME Church members in the fight against Alzheimer’s. African Americans are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to white Americans. They are less likely to be diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, leaving less time for treatment and planning. They are also underrepresented in clinical trials, making up only about 5 percent of all trial participants despite representing 13 percent of the U.S. population.
Ms. Johnson notes, “It’s vital for us to hear directly from the people impacted most by this disease so we can meet their needs. At the same time, we want to ensure people know all the resources available to them and all the ways they can get involved. We have a range of programs for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their families and caregivers.”
The forum was designed to foster greater awareness of Alzheimer’s Association resources, programs, care and support services for families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias, while engaging church members in the Association’s volunteer, outreach, advocacy, research and fundraising activities.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads 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.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is the oldest and one of the largest historically African-American denominations in the country. The church has more than 2.5 million members across five continents in 39 countries located in 20 Episcopal districts. More than 2 million members reside in the US across 13 Episcopal districts. It remains one of the largest Methodist denominations in the world. The AME church has consistently advocated for the civil and human rights affecting individuals of African descent through social improvement, religious autonomy, and political engagement. Visit www.amechealth.org/alz.