Perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of US Latino adults pertaining to dementia and brain health: a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives

Latinos in the USA are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) than non-Latino Whites. This systematic review aims to summarize current understanding of the perceptions, knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about ADRD and brain health of Latinos to inform public health efforts addressing disparities.

Methods

Searches were completed across six databases (Medline, PsycINFO, WoS, LILACS, ProQUEST, and CINAHL). Studies were required to capture attitudes and/or knowledge of ADRD or brain health among US-based Latino adults who were not cognitively impaired and were not caregivers or healthcare providers. Results were synthesized narratively.

Results

A total of 5528 unique records were identified. Following de-duplication and screening, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Overall, knowledge about brain health and ADRD among Latinos is quite mixed. A consistent finding was that participants recognized memory loss as a symptom of cognitive impairment, but demonstrated limited recognition of other signs of impairment. The studies also highlighted variable knowledge of protective factors for maintaining brain health.

Conclusions

Opportunities exist to increase knowledge of ADRD signs and symptoms, and awareness of risk and protective factors. Given the heterogeneity of Latinos in the USA, more research is warranted to better elucidate nuances in conceptualizations of brain health and aging among diverse Latino subgroups.

Keywords:

• Dementia
• Alzheimer disease
• disparities
• hispanic or Latino
• systematic review

Disclosure statement

Dr. Wolf reports grants from the NIH during the conduct of the study; grants from Merck, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the NIH, and Eli Lilly outside the submitted work; and personal fees from Sanofi, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Luto outside the submitted work. Dr. Bailey reports grants from the NIH during the conduct of the study; grants from Merck, Lundbeck, Pfizer, NIH, and Eli Lilly outside the submitted work; grants and personal fees from Pfizer, Sanofi, Lundbeck, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation outside the submitted work; and personal fees from Sanofi, Pfizer, and Luto outside the submitted work. Authors not named here have disclosed no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Northwestern University.