Scientists Reach Out to Minority Communities to Diversify Alzheimer's Studies

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine are trying to expand and diversify participation in Alzheimer's studies by reaching out to minority communities, reports National Public Radio . They are setting up information resources at events like the recent Walk to End Alzheimer's. "We are looking for people to help us figure out the genetic link to memory loss," says Case Western's Sara Kennedy. Nearly 50 percent of Cleveland's population is African American, a group that is twice as likely as whites to develop Alzheimer's. Case Western's effort is part of a national program funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging, with scientists noting Alzheimer's is more likely to affect black and Hispanic people, and may progress differently. "We actually need to have thousands and thousands of individuals participate in these studies to really understand the genetics of Alzheimer's disease," says Case Western Professor Jonathan Haines. He adds that trust, including trust in doctors, medical institutions, and researchers, is a key issue to gaining minority participants.