DES MOINES, Iowa — Hispanic Americans are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia compared to white Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association. It's a disparity gap the Polk County Health Department is looking to address with a new Latino Brain Health pilot program.
"We've been there to share information about early detection of Alzheimer's and dementia and signs to look out for, and just generally, being sure that we give this information to the Latino community, because we know that they're at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's and dementia," said Addie Olson.
Anna Coppola with Polk County Health Department has had a large hand in the pilot program. Coppola explained that it is more likely for Latino adults' cognitive symptoms to go undetected for longer then other communities, citing a list of barriers that may prevent Latinos from being examined for these diseases.
"Lack of information or education about the topic, language barrier, a health care provider just to name a few," Coppola said.
The Polk County Health Department is working with Community Health Workers to help meet Iowans in places they're more familiar and comfortable with. Norna Moreno is one of the Community Health Workers. Being a Latina herself, she said she understands why some may not want to reach out for help.
"I've been one of them too. I don't know the stuff I don't know the information," Moreno said.
Moreno and others are helping facilitate Alzheimer's and dementia educational sessions and free early detection screenings. Her team has educated more than 60 community members and provided a dozen early detection screenings.
"We've been having good amount of people coming, but I think we have a lot more to reach. We still have a lot more to do," Moreno said.
The pilot program receives funds through a grant that ended in July, but the Polk County Health Department shared that they are in conversations with their partners to see how they can continue this work.