As citizens, we know that health equity is a moral imperative. And as scientists, we know that health equity makes for better science.
Native Americans, African Americans and Latinos have increased odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease and are under-included in research. This is why UW–Madison Alzheimer’s disease research programs are committed to building awareness, advocacy and solutions to the significant health disparities facing communities of color. We do this by building community-based research that meets the people where they are.
Philanthropy is crucial to the success of the UW–Madison Alzheimer’s disease programs to help fund socially responsible, community-based programs:
- Research and outreach offices in Madison, Milwaukee, La Crosse and Oneida Nation of Wisconsin building connections and provide lasting support around the state.
- Musical groups for people with dementia and their caregivers, including The Amazing Grace Chorus® and Precious Memories Choir, provide social engagement and access to community services for people living with memory loss and their caregivers.
- Addressing Systemic Racism webinar series examined the roots of health disparities and how to address them.
- Black Leaders for Brain Health connects researchers with community leaders
- Veteran outreach provides education and research opportunities to military Veterans, who are at a higher risk for developing dementia than the general public.
- African Americans Fighting Alzheimer’s in Midlife (AA-FAIM) is a research study that offers one-on-one health coaching to research participants.
- Community health and education programs like Coffee & a Chat, New Friends and Get Movin’ are open to the public and provide opportunities for social, educational and physical engagement.
Carey Gleason, PhD, MS, and Gina Green-Harris, MBA, discuss advancements in achieving health equity at the UW. Watch the recording
Together, we are working to find an end to Alzheimer’s disease, a goal we can only reach when we build research for everyone. Let’s make research accessible to all.
What is Health Equity?
“Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be healthy. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care.”
— Braveman P, Arkin E, Orleans T, Proctor D, and Plough A. What Is Health Equity? And What Difference Does a Definition Make? Princeton, NJ: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2017.