BY PARKS KUGLE
The conditions
Alzheimer’s diagnosis by ethnicity The Hispanic population has the second-highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease by ethnicity.
that awareness and opportunities to participate in future clinical trials,” Ramirez said. Seshadri said that the Biggs Institute is the top recruiter for Hispanic clinical trial patients. “We are the largest Hispanic-recruiting [Aging and Disability Resource Center] among all 37 [centers], which is not surprising because we are in South Texas,” Seshadri said. Research at the center includes studying how Alzheimer’s genes behave differently in Hispanic patients and the unique risk factors at work.
Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America!— an organization that makes educational materials to influence healthy lifestyles within the Latino community—said that although Hispanics make up about 70% of South Texas’ population, fewer than 5% participate in clinical trials. “We really need to educate our communities on the importance of participating in clinical trials, and this is kind of our partnership work that we’ll be doing with the Biggs Institute and the Center for Brain Health in San Antonio, is to help promote
Percentage of adults ages 65 and older diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
Non-Hispanic white
10.3%
Hispanic
12.2%
African American
13.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native
9.1%
Asian and Pacific Islander
8.4%
SOURCE: U.S. CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Looking ahead
The outlook
Percentage of adults 65+ living in Texas counties with Alzheimer’s Approximately 459,300 Texans ages 65 and older were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, accounting for 11.9% of the elderly population.
Jackson said State Proposition 14, recently approved in the Nov. 4 election, created a $3 billion dedicated fund for dementia prevention and research, which will have a transformative impact on researcher recruitment and medical discovery at the Center for Brain Health. “I can’t understate the incredible gift that was for researchers,” Jackson said. “I really think this will be an opportunity for us to recruit really smart, bright scientists from across the country who can’t get funding nationally.”
District 10 council member Marc Whyte said that one of the most noticeable aspects of the new center is its thoughtful design, which incorporates a variety of facilities, including a library, music room, therapy rooms, spaces for educational and group meetings and an infusion suite. “[The center] really gives our folks an opportu- nity to participate in cutting-edge research that’s being done right here in our city,” Whyte said. “Alzheimer’s affects people around the world, and certainly right here in San Antonio, and to have a facility that’s on the cutting edge right here in San Antonio is a win for our citizens.” Dianne Teran, program manager at the Alzhei- mer’s Association San Antonio and South Texas Chapter, said the center may allow organizations to host educational and outreach programs. “Hopefully, the Alzheimer’s Association [and] other organizations could have a space to also come
Percentage of 65 and older population diagnosed with Alzheimer's
15%
10%
5%
0%
Bexar County
Harris County
Dallas County
Tarrant County
Travis County
68.57% For 31.43% Against Nov. 4 Election: Proposition 14
SOURCE: ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
in and bring in education as well,” Teran said. “It’s all about how we work together to fill that need, so it’s really holding hands [to provide comprehensive care].”
SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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