Black men receiving less dementia diagnoses than white peers

Fewer black men receive a dementia diagnosis than white men in the UK, according to new findings at an international conference on dementia.

Researchers from Kings College London and University College London presented data that showed black men developing dementia were 11 per cent less likely than their white counterparts to have a recorded diagnosis.

This is despite dementia being more prevalent amongst black males, say scientists at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Chicago.

Dr Doug Brown, chief policy and research officer at Alzheimer’s Society said a test for dementia diagnosis was needed to help eradicate such inequalities of detection. He said: “By 2021, 1 million people will be living with dementia in the UK, but despite the scale of the issue, we still do not have a simple test to diagnose dementia.

“This research adds flesh to the bones of a worrying pattern we’re starting to see in the UK. Black men are receiving fewer diagnoses than white men, despite prevalence being higher amongst black men.

“Everyone has the right to know what condition they have and the right to the care and support they need. A dementia diagnosis gives people an answer and access to this. It is vital that everyone has equal access to a diagnosis, regardless of their race, gender, age or postcode, and we will continue to build on our work with government to make sure this happens.”

An All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry report on dementia in 2013 found people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds were less likely to receive a diagnosis or support. It stated that in 2011, there were 25,000 people with dementia from BAME groups in England and Wales.

The APPG state this number is expected to double to 50,000 by 2026 and rise to over 172,000 by 2051. This is in effect a seven-fold increase in 40 years, compared to just over a two-fold increase in the numbers of people with dementia across the whole UK population in the same time period. However, prevalence figures for BAME have not been updated since 2014 onwards.

Baroness Sally Greengross, who co-chairs the cross-party dementia group with Debbie Abrahams MP, has cited ‘cultural stereotypes’ about ‘people looking after their own’ as the main culprit for low detection rates for the BAME community.

She said in her foreword to the inquiry report: “This inquiry has established that there is an urgent need to increase awareness of dementia among BAME communities.

“Service providers need to be sensitive to cultural stereotypes that mean some communities are assumed to ‘look after their own’, resulting in services that do not reach out to individuals and families from BAME communities.

“We make recommendations for the UK government, for local commissioners, and to others who must take action now. Such action is desperately needed not just across the public and voluntary sector, but in society as a whole, if we are really to ensure individuals and families are not left to cope alone, in fear, and without support.”