Asian Community Dementia Prevalence, Shame, and Further Insights
In the United States, Asian American communities are experiencing a higher prevalence of dementia compared to some other populations. This is influenced by a variety of factors, including cardiovascular risks, migration background, and stress related to cultural and language barriers.
Studies show that dementia prevalence is about 3.1 times higher in people with a non-Western migration background, which includes many Asian populations, compared to reference populations in Europe and similar migrant groups in the U.S. [2] Migrants from Asian countries, including Chinese, Indonesian, Turkish, and Moroccan backgrounds, have elevated dementia and mild cognitive impairment rates linked to higher cardiovascular risk factors and depression. [2]
In older Chinese American adults, internalization of stress has been identified as a significant risk factor for age-related cognitive decline. This is compounded by unique cultural challenges such as language barriers and the "model minority stereotype," which contributes to psychological stress and may increase dementia risk. [3]
Despite this high prevalence and risk factors within Asian American populations, stigma and cultural barriers result in underrepresentation in dementia research and formal care services. [2][3] This underrepresentation hinders early detection, diagnosis, and the development of culturally sensitive interventions.
Compared to other U.S. populations, Asian Americans may face more pronounced dementia stigma rooted in cultural perceptions of mental health and aging, which can discourage seeking diagnosis and treatment. [3] This differs somewhat from some non-Asian U.S. populations where awareness and literacy about dementia may be higher, although stigma exists broadly.
In East Asian countries, dementia prevalence is high due to demographic and genetic factors. For example, China's dementia burden is notable with 15 million diagnosed cases and genetic markers unique to East Asians influencing disease risk. These factors translate into Asian American populations as well. [1]
Educating people about dementia is an effective way to combat negative attitudes towards the condition in Asian communities. Topics of education that could help Asian families detect the early stages of dementia include the process of aging, how different dementia conditions present, early and later stage dementia symptoms, how to care for someone with dementia, and stress management.
The CDC notes that as the Asian community grows, Alzheimer's cases will increase substantially in minority communities. The Alzheimer's Association reports that 34% of Asian Americans have experienced some form of discrimination when seeking Alzheimer's care, compared to 9% among white Americans. [4]
To address these challenges, it is crucial to make dementia resources more accessible and tailored to the specific needs of Asian American communities. This includes ensuring that people are aware of the financial and social resources available in their area. Changing perceptions about dementia being a natural part of aging is also important for Asian communities to seek help earlier.
References:
[1] Alzheimer's Disease International. (2019). World Alzheimer Report 2019: Attitudes to Dementia. Retrieved from https://www.alzint.org/media/1072/world-alzheimer-report-2019-attitudes-to-dementia.pdf
[2] Chang, S. C., & Chan, D. C. (2019). Dementia in Asian American communities: A review. Journal of Aging and Health, 31(3), 343-361.
[3] Chang, S. C., & Chan, D. C. (2015). Dementia and ethnicity: A systematic review of the literature. Aging & Mental Health, 19(6), 663-673.
[4] Alzheimer's Association. (2020). 2020 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
- The contextual factors influencing higher dementia prevalence in Asian American communities include cardiovascular risks, migration background, and stress related to cultural and language barriers, as well as unique challenges such as the "model minority stereotype."
- Retargeting our efforts towards understanding and addressing dementia in Asian American communities is crucial, given their elevated dementia and mild cognitive impairment rates.
- Migration from Asian countries, including China, Indonesia, Turkey, and Morocco, is associated with higher dementia risks due to cardiovascular risk factors and depression.
- Diversity and inclusion in dementia research and care services can help combat the stigma associated with mental health and aging in Asian communities, leading to earlier detection and diagnosis.
- In the context of health-and-wellness, it's important to educate Asian communities about dementia, focusing on early detection, understanding different dementia conditions, caregiving, and stress management.
- Finance is another critical aspect in making dementia resources accessible to Asian American communities, as ensuring awareness of available social and financial resources can help in addressing this growing health concern.
