The onset of Alzheimer's disease in African Americans



Abstract

The purpose of this study is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some significant facts relating to Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we have focused on the health issues of the African Americans with Alzheimer's disease. It includes a detailed examination of the main causes of Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the study also scrutinizes the cultural, social and economical aspects of Alzheimer's disease.

Table of Content

Introduction1

Literature Review2

Mortality2

Risk Factors3

Cultural Aspects4

Social Aspects5

Economic Aspects5

Prevention5

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention6

Community Intervention Models6

Summary7

Conclusion8

Recommendations9

The onset of Alzheimer's disease in African Americans

Introduction

The topic under study is based on the onset of Alzheimer's disease in African Americans. According to a study conducted by North Carolina A&T University and Duke University, African Americans suffer from Alzheimer more than others do. This study was conducted in the year 2010 (Bachman, 2010, pp. 372-374). It is a common perception of people that the symptoms of Alzheimer disease is just the signs of getting old but in actual, people fail to realize that they have Alzheimer disease. Whereas, it becomes difficult for the doctor to help a patient suffering from Alzheimer in the advanced stage, but it can be controlled if the patient contacts the doctor in the early stage. The most common reasons for the development of Alzheimer include high blood pressure, vascular disease. Vascular disease can also result from diabetes, which ultimately results in Alzheimer. African Americans have higher risks of getting all of these. Statistics shows that: (Chen, Borson & Scanlan, 2010, pp. 123-133)

Compare to others, 65% of the African Americans suffer from hypertension and hence risk of Alzheime.

African Americans possess 60% higher risk of having diabetes that can lead to vascular disease.

As compared to white Americans, African Americans are greater in number to have Alzheimer disease. Therefore, the need of this study arises in order to examine the different factors and aspects from the literature point of view that leads to Alzheimer in people (Chen, Borson & Scanlan, 2010, pp. 123-133).

Literature Review

Out of the total population of the United States, African Americans comprises of 8 percent. This figure of 8% is the people who are 65 years or older (Bassiony, 2007, pp. 205-210). African Americans are the largest minority groups of the United States. Researchers suggest that the percentage of African Americans out of the total population will grow eventually by 2030. One of the major reasons for this growth is the increase of Alzheimer's disease amongst individuals. Currently four million people are affected by this disease (Bassiony, 2007, pp. 205-210).

Mortality

Alzheimer's disease is said to be the progressive degenerative state that puts some extreme impacts on the affected people. People with poor memory are mostly characterized with this condition. There are around 4 million such people in the United States. As an individual becomes elder, the state to fulfill basic needs increases. People, who suffer from Alzheimer's disease (Etgen, 2010, pp. 109-119), sometimes fail to recognize the disease. In such cases, doctors often reports Alzheimer's disease as the ...