Search

We investigate Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) prevalence, incidence rate, and risk factors in individuals racialized as Asian and/or Asian‐American and assess sample representation. Prevalence, incidence rate, risk factors, and heterogeneity of samples were assessed. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted, generating pooled estimates. Of 920 records across 14 databases, 45 studies were included. Individuals racialized as Asian and/or Asian‐American were mainly from Eastern and Southern Asia, had higher education, and constituted a smaller sample relative to non‐Hispanic white cohorts. The average prevalence was 10.9%, ranging from 0.4% to 46%. The average incidence rate was 20.03 (12.01‐33.8) per 1000 person‐years with a range of 75.19–13.59 (12.89‐14.33). Risk factors included physiological, genetic, psychological, behavioral, and social factors. This review underscores the systemic underrepresentation of individuals racialized as Asian and/or Asian‐American in ADRD research and the need for inclusive approaches accounting for culture, language, and immigration status. Highlights: There is considerable heterogeneity in the prevalence of ADRD among studies of Asian‐Americans.There is limited data on group‐specific risk factors for ADRD among Asian–Americans.The average prevalence of (ADRD) among Asian–Americans was found to be 7.4%, with a wide range from 0.5% to 46%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This ongoing, prospective study examines the effectiveness of methods used to successfully recruit and retain 238 Black older adults in a longitudinal, observational Alzheimer's disease (AD) study. METHODS: Recruitment strategies included traditional media, established research registries, speaking engagements, community events, and snowball sampling. Participants were asked to complete an annual office testing session, blood‐based biomarker collection, optional one‐time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and community workshop. RESULTS: Within the first 22 months of active recruitment, 629 individuals expressed interest in participating, and 238 enrolled in the ongoing study. Of the recruitment methods used, snowball sampling, community events, and speaking engagements were the most effective. DISCUSSION: The systemic underrepresentation of Black participants in AD research impacts the ability to generalize research findings and determine the effectiveness and safety of disease‐modifying treatments. Research to slow, stop, or prevent AD remains a top priority but requires diversity in sample representation. Highlights: Provide flexible appointments in the evening or weekends, offering transportation assistance, and allowing participants to complete study visits at alternative locations, such as senior centers or community centers.Continuously monitor and analyze recruitment data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.Implement targeted strategies to recruit participants who are underrepresented based on sex, gender, or education to increase representation.Diversify the research team to include members who reflect the racial and cultural backgrounds of the target population, to enhance trust and rapport with prospective participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults are living longer in the United States and the proportion of those belonging to minoritized groups is growing. The value and characteristics of quality of life (QoL) at an older age have becoming of central concern to policy makers. To investigate the wicked problem of ageing and QoL, we conducted and compared two group model building workshops in St. Louis City, one with 16 White and another with 10 Black American older adults, age 65 and older. Group model building workshops involve communities in the identification and testing of shared solutions to pressing and complex problems. Findings demonstrated that racial disparities in terms of material and environmental resources represent significant barriers to QoL for both Black and White participants. Results underscore the need to address social determinants of health that impede healthy ageing and damage well‐being and QoL of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines multidimensional poverty among children in Afghanistan using the Alkire-Foster method. Several previous studies have underlined the need to separate children from their adult nexus when studying poverty and treat them according to their own specificities. From the capability approach, child poverty is understood to be the lack of freedom to do and to be what children themselves value and have reason to value. The case of Afghanistan is particularly relevant as years of conflict aggravated by several severe droughts, political insecurity, bad governance and ongoing violence have significantly increased poverty in the country. The paper discusses the relevant dimensions when analysing child poverty and uses data from a survey carried out by Handicap International which contains information on dimensions of children's wellbeing that is typically missing in standard surveys. Ten dimension are considered in this paper: health, care and love, material deprivation, food security, social inclusion, education, freedom from economic and non-economic exploitation, shelter and environment, autonomy, and mobility. Our results show that younger children, those living in rural areas, girls and disabled children are the most deprived.

Education for children with disabilities in Afghanistan, particularly disabled girls, continues to lag behind despite laudable efforts of the Ministry of Education to promote universal access for all. The opportunity for education constitutes not just a means of achieving learning outcomes but also a space for social interaction, individual development and psychosocial support, which are paramount in Conflict-Affected Fragile States (CAFS). However, many persisting barriers still need to be overcome in Afghanistan to allow education for all and change negative attitudes towards education of children with disabilities. In this paper we argue that viewing education as a basic commodity, which is the widespread practice in CAFS, is not conducive to expanding human freedoms and capabilities. More specifically, through analyses of a national survey, we demonstrate that despite considerable resources, increasing access to education in Afghanistan has maintained processes of marginalisation of the already excluded. (Contains 3 notes, 4 tables and 5 figures.)

Humanitarian crises as a result of conflict are often characterised by failure of the social contract between the state and its citizens. For a variety of reasons, children with disabilities are often particularly vulnerable in time of humanitarian crisis. This paper draws on research undertaken by the authors in a series of countries affected by conflict and looks at how the politics and policies of such countries, and the humanitarian and development agencies working in them, continue to exclude children with disabilities from formal and informal education structures. It will be argued that this exclusion not only impedes progress on inclusive education, but also has wider implications as education programmes are often the conduit through which a number of additional child protection mechanisms are implemented. Children with disabilities who are not in the formal education system are therefore at risk not only of missing out on education opportunities, but are also excluded from critical child survival initiatives, thus increasing their vulnerability. (Contains 5 tables.)