Creating an alliance for diversity in brain health for central Ohio community

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundBlack, Indigenous, and other people of color are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). These individuals are less likely than non‐Hispanic whites to have access to ADRD‐ related resources, thus promoting health disparities.MethodIn 2022, the Alliance for Diversity in Brain Health for the Central Ohio Community (ADHOC) was created to fill this gap. Through grass roots efforts from the College of Nursing, the African American Alzheimer’s and Wellness Association teamed up with the Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Association. With leadership support from the National Alzheimer’s Association, we identified strengths, opportunities for collaboration, and long and short‐term goals to meet the needs of the Central Ohio ADRD community. Monthly meetings were held with a core group of four members to establish a community‐driven agenda for education, support, and research.ResultTo date, ADHOC results included a) grant‐funded, inaugural Annual Brain Health Fair with 14 local partnering agencies, b) five ADRD education presentations in five minoritized communities, and c) six research collaborations.ConclusionOur alliance provides a template that can scaled for use in communities globally to build bridges and promote health equity in ADRD communities through education, support and research.