Dementia is a term used for several diseases or conditions that affect a person's ability to think, remember, or make decisions. Studies show that people in the Black community often have trouble getting the care they need for dementia, including delays in getting a diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
About 60 to 80% of people who have dementia have Alzheimer’s.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, older Black Americans are twice as likely to have dementia compared to older white Americans.


This article looks at the numbers related to dementia in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
It also explores the unequal access to healthcare and discusses ways that society and individuals can address these health differences that may increase the risk of dementia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are becoming more common.
By 2060, almost 14 million Americans may have these conditions. The number of African Americans with these conditions is expected to be four times higher than it is now.

A report from the Alzheimer’s Association says Alzheimer’s affects between 14 and 100% more African Americans than white Americans.


The number of African Americans over the age of 65 is expected to more than double by 2030, from 2.7 million in 1997 to 6.9 million.
Alzheimer’s affects over 10% of people of all races who are over 65.

Inequalities in healthcare

Some health issues can raise the risk of getting dementia, and the following are more common in the Black community:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for dementia, especially vascular dementia.


In 2017–2018, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 57.2% of Black men had high blood pressure, compared to 50.2% of white men.
For women, 56.7% of Black women had high blood pressure, compared to 43.6% of white women.

A 2020 study shows that the discrimination Black people face over their lifetime can lead to higher blood pressure.


Learn more about high blood pressure in African Americans here.


Stress and depression

The daily stress that Black people experience can lead to high blood pressure and mental health problems like depression.