Beliefs About the Causes of Alzheimer's Disease Among Latinos in New York City.

Abstract

Latinos face health disparities in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with high disease prevalence relative to non-Latino whites and barriers to healthcare access. Several studies have found misconceptions about AD among Latinos that were linked to reduced preventative or help-seeking behavior. To improve understanding of illness perceptions among Latinos, we examined beliefs about the causes of AD, one of the five dimensions of illness representations from Leventhal's Self-Regulation Theory, among a sample of N = 216 Latinos. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with participants aged 40 to 64 (average age 53 years) living in northern Manhattan. Seven distinct causes of AD were identified, though participants demonstrated a general understanding of AD as a multifactorial disease. Genetics was found to be the most endorsed cause of AD, followed by unhealthy lifestyle factors. Most Latinos who believed psychosocial factors played a critical role in AD development were first-generation immigrants. No participants attributed AD to a normal process of aging, and few ascribed the disease to brain damage from stroke or head injuries. Several participants expressed the belief that environmental contaminants can cause AD, which has received little mention in prior studies. Though only a small number thought AD could occur by chance, most participants remained uncertain about the exact causes of the disease and used lay knowledge to explain their beliefs. Our findings help identify areas where educational interventions would be beneficial in improving community knowledge and offer perspectives that can foster cultural competency in healthcare.