Brain Health Attitudes, Awareness and Actions in Middle-Aged Latinos.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) disproportionately impact Latinos in the US. Interventions that promote engagement in established protective behaviors throughout the life course may offer an opportunity to address disparities. To inform brain health promotion efforts, this study aimed to examine current brain health-related attitudes, awareness, and actions of middle-aged Latinos. A cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 200 Latinos 35-64 years old. Survey items assessed concern about ADRD, beliefs related to ways to support brain health, knowledge of protective behaviors, and actual engagement in protective behaviors. Multivariable analyses examined differences in knowledge, attitudinal, and behavioral outcomes by sociodemographic and psychosocial factors including health literacy and health activation. A third (36.0%) of participants were "very concerned" about ADRD. Nearly two thirds (61.0%) "strongly agreed" steps can be taken to reduce risk of ADRD. Less than a third (29.5%) were able to name three steps to support brain health, and 45.5% reported currently engaging in behaviors to support brain health. In multivariable analyses, participants with lower acculturation were more likely to be "very concerned" about ADRD and to "strongly agree" that steps can be taken to support brain health. Participants with low health activation were less likely to agree that steps can be taken. Those who were older and had a family member with ADRD were more likely to be able to name three steps that can be taken. Most middle-aged Latinos believed brain health is actionable, while concern for ADRD, awareness of ways to protect the brain, and engagement in science-based protective behaviors was variable. Opportunities exist for increasing education about well-established modifiable risk factors for ADRD, yet more research is needed to understand these factors in historically minoritized communities.