Disparities in the United States Alzheimer’s Care
System
Disparities in the United States Alzheimer’s Care
System
BEHIND MEMORY LOSS:
BEHIND MEMORY LOSS:
E l i a m C h a n g , H e e b a M o m e n , S o m a i y a
M o n o w a r , T u a n K h a i N g u y e n , a n d R a n e y Y a n g
P A T T E R N S P A T T E R N S
T h e I c e b e r g M o d e l T h e I c e b e r g M o d e l
E V E N T S E V E N T S
S T R U C T U R E S S T R U C T U R E S
M E N T A L M O D E L S M E N T A L M O D E L S
Inadequate insurance coverage for specific age groups.
Patients without family support cannot provide the expenses for aftercare treatments.
Non-White populations in Alzheimer’s are often underdiagnosed.
Patients' families are often overwhelmed on how to handle new symptoms.
Inadequate insurance coverage for specific age groups.
Patients without family support cannot provide the expenses for aftercare treatments.
Non-White populations in Alzheimer’s are often underdiagnosed.
Patients' families are often overwhelmed on how to handle new symptoms.
Patients’ medical insurance is not sufficient for their treatments (Medicare will often not cover expensive tests/treatments.)
Lack of guidance and information to assist patients and their families.
Many AD diagnostic tests have been developed in almost exclusively White AD population at early stage in the disease, these tests may not be representative of other populations.
Patients’ medical insurance is not sufficient for their treatments (Medicare will often not cover expensive tests/treatments.)
Lack of guidance and information to assist patients and their families.
Many AD diagnostic tests have been developed in almost exclusively White AD population at early stage in the disease, these tests may not be representative of other populations.
Insufficient funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH) for high stake research programs.
U.S. Healthcare and insurance structures usually do not include AD aftercare as part of what is covered for patients.
Serious physical issues or comorbidities often overshadow AD at healthcare screenings.
Knowledge gaps in minority communities regarding the progression of AD.
Lack of awareness for seeking Alzheimer's testing, especially in younger populations.
Cultural incompetence between doctors and patients.
Insufficient funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH) for high stake research programs.
U.S. Healthcare and insurance structures usually do not include AD aftercare as part of what is covered for patients.
Serious physical issues or comorbidities often overshadow AD at healthcare screenings.
Knowledge gaps in minority communities regarding the progression of AD.
Lack of awareness for seeking Alzheimer's testing, especially in younger populations.
Cultural incompetence between doctors and patients.
Stereotypes and biases against AD (feelings of shame) inhibit people from reaching out to seek treatment.
Physical ailments are often thought to be more important and are treated first compared to a more hidden disease like AD.
AD is viewed as a disease for the elderly when in reality younger populations are also susceptible.
Physicians hold off testing for AD in younger people however treating AD early is the best way to combat the disease.
Stereotypes and biases against AD (feelings of shame) inhibit people from reaching out to seek treatment.
Physical ailments are often thought to be more important and are treated first compared to a more hidden disease like AD.
AD is viewed as a disease for the elderly when in reality younger populations are also susceptible.
Physicians hold off testing for AD in younger people however treating AD early is the best way to combat the disease.
Medical Team
Nurse Physical Therapist
Policy-Makers
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Researchers
Family
Non-Profits Pharmaceutical
Companies
Educational Institutes
Physician
Medical
Institutes Biotechnology Companies
Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s
Research Foundation
Home Caregivers Spouse
Disparities in the United States Health Care System National Institutes
of Health (NIH)
Children
Relatives
Community Leaders
Media Figures
Faith Leaders Private Insurance
Insurance System Medicare
Medicaid
Long-Term Care Facilities
Nursing Homes Care Units
S t a k e h o l d e r M a p
S t a k e h o l d e r M a p
Medicaid
Biomedical Companies
Medical Institutes
Educational Institutes Pharmaceutical
Companies Private
Insurance
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Nurse
Physical Therapist
Physician
Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Media
Figures
Faith Leaders
Home Caregivers
Spouse Children
Relatives
Nursing Homes
Care Units
Medicare
H ig h P o w e r H ig h P o w e r
H i g h I n t e r e s t H i g h I n t e r e s t
Low Interest Low Interest
Low PowerLow Power
P o w e r - I n t e r e s t M a p
P o w e r - I n t e r e s t M a p
Primary Care Consultation
Specialist Consultation
Checkups
Nursing Home Home Nurse or Caregiver Post-diagnosis
Death
Symptoms Pre-disposition
Physical and Mental Exams
Depression
Bargaining
Anger Denial
Acceptance Advocacy
Medication and treatments Disclosure of
results Laboratory Tests
Payment or Insurance
Laboratory Examinations
Physical therapy
Gait and Independent
Activity
Social abilities and personality changes
J o u r n e y M a p
J o u r n e y M a p
Disparities in the US Alzheimer’s Care System
lack of awareness in
behavioral health symptoms
Insurance coverage barriers
Difficulty managing disease Physicians provide
unspecific diagnosis of “dementia”
Knowledge Gaps Within Preventative
Care
55% Black populations think that significant loss of cognitive abilities or memory is a natural part of aging rather than a disease.
Poor lifestyles
Medical Laboratory tests require additional costs
for patient family Family Concerns
Distrust of Physician diagnosis
Failure to follow physician directions
Increased symptoms and dementia
progression Medical tests often
not performed to save money
Late return to doctor’s office results in exponential damage
Lack of awareness for
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s Symptoms are Overshadowed by Other Physical Disabilities Less willing to
be part of research and
clinical trial programs Distrust from
non-white population towards medical
system
Fewer non-white patients are eligible for drugs
that delay Alzheimer’s progression
Lack of inclusion of diverse subjects in research programs
Lack of understanding of
biological differences in non-white and white patients More non-white
patients being undiagnosed or only
received late diagnosis
C a u s a l
L o o p M a p C a u s a l
L o o p M a p
