PR97289

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Experiences of structural, interpersonal and institutional racism are

associated with lower memory scores and worse cognition in midlife and old age,

especially among Black individuals, according to studies reported today at the

Alzheimer's Association International Conference(R) (AAIC(R)) 2022 [

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3608630-1&h=3801775295&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Faaic&a=Alzheimer%27s+Association+International+Conference

] in San Diego and virtually.

Logo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1869584/AAIC22_purple_font_rgb_Logo.jpg  

Among the key findings reported at AAIC 2022 are:

    - In a study of nearly 1,000 middle-aged community-dwelling adults (55%

      Latinx; 23% Black; 19% White), exposure to interpersonal and

      institutional racism was associated with lower memory scores, and these

      associations were driven by Black individuals. Experiences of structural

      racism were associated with lower episodic memory among all racial and

      ethnic groups that were included in the study.

    - In a study of 445 Asian, Black, Latino, White and multiracial people age

      90 and above, individuals who experienced wide-ranging discrimination

      throughout life had lower semantic memory in late life compared to those

      who experienced little to no discrimination.

"In order to achieve health equity - as a step toward complete inclusion -

individuals and society must identify and reduce racism and other forms of

discrimination," said Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., MPH, chief diversity, equity and

inclusion officer at the Alzheimer's Association. "We must create a society in

which the underserved, disproportionately affected and underrepresented are

safe, cared for and valued."

According to the Alzheimer's Association 2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and

Figures [

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3608630-1&h=254028529&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Falzheimers-dementia%2Ffacts-figures&a=2022+Alzheimer%27s+Disease+Facts+and+Figures

] report, Blacks are about twice as likely and Hispanic/Latinos are about one

and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias.

The various types and experiences of structural racism and discrimination

contribute to systemic inequities, including: lower socioeconomic status; lower

quality early life education; and less access to healthy food and proper health

care. Individually and cumulatively, these factors impact brain health over the

lifecourse in Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and other communities.

"These systemic disparities are related to less access to important

health-protecting resources such as high-quality care and social networks that

provide valuable health information and support," said Rev. Miriam J. Burnett,

M.D., MDiv, MPH, medical director, African Methodist Episcopal Church

International Health Commission.

"The consistent and pervasive lack of resources, as well as social and

environmental factors, lead to disparities in other health outcomes such as

cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which increase the risk for Alzheimer's

and other dementias," said Adriana Perez, Ph.D., CRNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, FGSA,

assistant professor of nursing at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

and member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.

Multilevel racism associated with lower memory scores

Research suggests interpersonal and structural racism are contributors to

racial and ethnic disparities in cognitive aging. However, there's little

understanding of how multilevel racism influences cognition throughout the life

course. To address this gap in knowledge, Dominika Šeblová, Ph.D., postdoctoral

researcher in the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center at Columbia University Irving

Medical Center, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers

with expertise in health equity, assessed experiences of interpersonal,

institutional and structural racism among 942 middle-aged adults (mean age=55;

64% women; 55% Latinx; 23% non-Latinx Black; 19% non-Latinx White).

Black participants were most exposed to racism at all levels. They were more

likely to grow up and live in segregated areas that are known to be

resource-deprived due to institutional disinvestment in Black neighborhoods.

Black participants experienced on average six civil rights violations in their

lifetime and were exposed to interpersonal discrimination at least once per

week. These exposures were associated with lower memory scores, and the

magnitude of the association corresponded to 1-3 years of chronological age.

Structural racism was associated with lower episodic memory in the full sample.

"Chronic exposure to racism and interpersonal discrimination among marginalized

communities leads to stress that affects the body and influences physiological

health, and likely contributes to the development of cognitive decline," said

Jennifer Manly, Ph.D., professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University

Irving Medical Center and the senior author of this work. "Overall, our

findings indicate that racism impacts brain health and contributes to the

unfair burden of Alzheimer's disease in marginalized groups."

Poorer cognition among oldest old is linked to experiences of discrimination

Discrimination is a fundamental cause of health inequities. However, it is

unknown whether discrimination contributes to disparities in cognitive aging

among the oldest old, a group sometimes referred to as super agers. To answer

this question, Kristen George, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology in

the Department of Public Health Sciences at University of California, Davis and

colleagues, examined the relationship of lifetime experiences of major

discrimination with cognitive function and decline among a diverse cohort of

Asian, Black, White, Latino and multiracial participants of the Life After 90

(LA90) Study.

Among 468 participants (20.5% Asian; 21.8% Black; 14.5% Latino; 35.7% White;

7.5% multiracial), the average age at enrollment was 93. Participants completed

three cognitive assessments over an average of 1.2 years. Participants reported

experiences of major lifetime discrimination via questionnaire and were grouped

based on their responses.

    - Group 1 reported workplace discrimination (i.e., unfairly fired, not

      hired, not given a promotion) and was comprised of mostly White men.

    - Group 2 reported little to no discrimination over their lifetime and

      consisted of White women and Asian, Black and Latino older adults.

    - Group 3 reported experiencing discrimination across several domains

      (workplace, financial, housing, etc.) and all participants of this group

      were non-White.

The researchers found that participants in Group 1 (workplace discrimination)

had higher levels of baseline cognition in domains of executive function and

semantic memory compared to Group 2 (no discrimination). Group 3 (wide-ranging

discrimination) had worse semantic memory at baseline compared to Group 2.

Across the groups, there were no differences in cognitive decline over time.

"These findings highlight that among the oldest old, inequities in cognitive

function persist after accounting for experiences of major lifetime

discrimination," said George. "Despite the incredible longevity of this group,

discrimination has an indelible impact on cognitive health, and oldest old

adults still stand to benefit from efforts to eliminate and redress health

disparities."

About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference(R) (AAIC(R))

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's

largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's

and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research

program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia

and fostering a vital, collegial research community.

AAIC 2022 home page: www.alz.org/aaic/　

AAIC 2022 newsroom: www.alz.org/aaic/pressroom.asp　

AAIC 2022 hashtag: #AAIC22

About the Alzheimer's Association(R)

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(R). Visit https://www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

SOURCE  Alzheimer’s Association

CONTACT: Alzheimer's Association Media Line, 312.335.4078, media@alz.org; AAIC

2022 Press Office, aaicmedia@alz.org