Black Americans especially vulnerable to Alzheimer’s
In conversations with other African Americans, it's surprising to learn many of us don't know that Alzheimer's disease disproportionately plagues our community.
Barbara Elaine Smith, better known as B. Smith, an iconic African American restaurateur, model, and author died recently at 70 years old due to early onset Alzheimer's disease.
Her story is all too common in the African American community—and not enough people realize it.
African Americans are two to three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than white Americans. Women make up two-thirds of people with Alzheimer's disease. Thus, African American women are an especially vulnerable population.
Despite being 13.6% of the U.S. population, African Americans carry one-third of the total costs of Alzheimer's disease expenses — $72 billion.
The toll will only rise
African Americans are one of the fastest growing minority populations in the U.S. and will make up a large majority of older adults suffering with Alzheimer's disease in the next 30 years.
That's why B. Smith and her husband Dan Gasby, decided to fight as long as they could not only to preserve her health and memory, but also to raise awareness about this horrible disease in African American communities.
In her memoir, "Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer's," she wrote that her diagnosis inspired her to “motivate African Americans to put the stigma of Alzheimer's aside and get involved in a crucial way.”
As a basic science researcher who studies racial disparities in Alzheimer's disease and as an African American woman, I immediately connected with both her and her mission. In conversations with other African Americans, it's surprising to learn many of us don't know that Alzheimer's disease disproportionately plagues our community.
A hero and fighter
B. Smith was a role model for using one's own life and voice to make a difference in the lives of others. She had already lived plenty of her life in the public eye. She did not have to go public with her illness, but she said she felt it necessary to be “a spokesperson for all Americans struggling with Alzheimer's disease, but especially for women, and even more so for women of color.”
B. Smith advocated for us to participate in research studies to help better understand why this disease especially impacts our community. She also recognized the importance of our participation in development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's may impact African Americans differently. If it's not enough to participate in research and clinical trials, then how can drug companies ensure that the therapies they are making will work for us?
I'm saddened by the loss of B. Smith
It is a devastating blow for our community. But one of the most important ways we can honor her legacy is to take up the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
I am going to help continue the work that she started by using my research to help understand why our community has higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease. I also will continue to help raise awareness about this disease in our communities.
Come join me in this fight by getting educated about Alzheimer's disease, taking steps to live healthy, supporting loved ones and anyone caring for someone with the disease, and learning more about research studies in Alzheimer's disease.
We have to be bold enough to be a part of solutions that eliminate disparities of this disease that negatively affect our own community.
If we can fight Alzheimer's with the style and grace of the brave, lovely, and gifted Barbara Elaine Smith, all the better.
Renã AS Robinson is an Associate Professor of Chemistry of Vanderbilt University.