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Brain Health Attitudes, Awareness and Actions in Middle-Aged Latinos
Sophia W Light1, Jeimmy Hurtado2, Myriam Del Salto2
1Center for Applied Health Research on Aging (CAHRA), Division of General Internal Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. sophia.wl@northwestern.edu.
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
|March 12, 2025
Summary
Middle-aged Latinos show variable awareness and action regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) protective behaviors. Enhancing education on modifiable risk factors is crucial for addressing health disparities in brain health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Public Health
- Health Disparities Research
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) disproportionately affect Latino populations in the US.
- Life-course interventions promoting protective behaviors can address these disparities.
- Understanding current attitudes and actions is vital for effective brain health promotion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine brain health attitudes, awareness, and actions among middle-aged Latinos.
- To inform targeted brain health promotion strategies for this demographic.
- To identify factors influencing knowledge and engagement in protective behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional online survey of 200 Latinos aged 35-64.
- Assessed ADRD concern, beliefs, knowledge of protective behaviors, and current engagement.
- Multivariable analyses explored associations with sociodemographic and psychosocial factors (e.g., health literacy, health activation).
Main Results:
- 36% were very concerned about ADRD; 61% believed risk reduction is possible.
- Only 29.5% could name three brain-healthy steps; 45.5% engaged in such behaviors.
- Lower acculturation linked to higher ADRD concern and belief in risk reduction.
- Low health activation correlated with lower agreement on actionable steps.
Conclusions:
- Most middle-aged Latinos perceive brain health as actionable.
- Awareness and engagement in science-based protective behaviors for ADRD are variable.
- Educational initiatives on modifiable risk factors are needed, with further research in minority communities.
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