May 5. 2010 'ri’1' g lo r ila nò (Db seme ET Aging Elders Present New Problems by F red M iller An average male in one o f the poorest countries in the world, Bangladesh, has a better chance of reaching the age of 65 than an Afri can American male living in Harlem. Currently the death rate among Af rican Americans is similar to that of European Americans 30 years ago, and low birth weights continue to plague African American mothers. While overall health in the United States has improved, key health goals among African Americans have remained stagnant or steadily worsened, highlighting the impor tance o f recognizing racism as an important factor to be included in discussions o f health disparities. And this problem may only get worse as the nation ’ s African Ameri can population ages, compounding the problems of old age with existing health disparities. The fastest grow ing segment o f the population in the United States are elders 85 years or older. During the last three decades, this group - the oldest old - has doubled in size while the general population increased by about 45 percent. Some estimate that in the next 40 years, older adults aged 85 or more will represent nearly one-fourth o f the elderly population and about 5 ' ■ î ? # 1 ü b &. í z & s ä i percent of all Americans. The elderly African American populations will more than triple be tween the years 1990 to 2050. Those seniors 85 or older are at the greatest risk for chronic illness, have the most functional dependency on others for caregiving, and have the greatest needs for health and social services. Another unfortunate aspect of increased aging is an increase in the onset o f memory problems such as dementia. Some studies reveal that the prevalence o f dementia is al most 50 percent for adults aged 85 and above. Dementia refers to the collection of diseases or conditions that cause global, progressive im pairment in several areas o f cogni tive function including memory. Alzheimer’s disease represents 70 percent o f the cases o f dementia in most industrialized countries and is the fourth most common cause o f mortality in older Americans. To make matters worse, some studies indicate that Alzheimer’s disease is more prevalent among African Americans. Low levels o f education, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, com mon conditions among African American elders, may also be sig nificant risk factors for dementia J - sÈBÈ ? ’ < and A lz h e im e r’s d ise ase. Alzheimer’s disease tends to have a gradual, slow onset, first affecting memory, but eventually impairing other cognitive abilities such as judg ment and insight. Early treatment can help alleviate some o f the memory symptoms, but for too many African Americans, effective treatment is limited because this condition tends to be diagnosed at a later stage. Currently there are more patients with memory problems in nursing homes in the United States than in all the acute and chronic hospitals combined. Research is needed to better un derstand the unique and various needs o f African Americans elders is needed if culturally competent services are valued. While most researchers share the belief that effective treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s dis ease are possible within most o f our lifetimes. 1 trust that these effective treatments include the unique psy chological and biological functions shared among those o f color. Fred Miller is Director o f the African American Dementia & Ag ing Project at Oregon Health Sci ence University’ Page A5 H igh Q u ality & A ffo rd ab le Pediatric Primary Healthcare clinic Children’s Community Clinic 27 NE Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97211 Phone: (503)284-5239 Fax: (503)284-9162 No insurance? No problem. We may be able to help you. Oregon Health Plan application assistance onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays $59* Excellent Healthcare fo r Every Child • • • General Pediatric Care • Immunizations Physicals • Young Adult Health Diabetes & Asthma Diagnosis/Treatment & Management Services available fo r ages: Birth through 21 years Oregon Board Certified Pediatricians & Providers * Price for most visits; payment must be made at the time o f service. Lab test fees & prescriptions may be extra. COU PON LuZ/J 5/1/2010 - $20 off Cl inl C Initial visit payment - ï H U A I ■ H H Ü I HBHÉh - HU « >y- 1 0 « ■ M M :««£:• « sí ?*. Let's Keep H1N1 Under Control )fDHS Oregon Department of Human Services Get the Shot! African American Health Coalition, Inc. Call 503-413 1850 M-F 8:30AM-5:00PM Or visit: 2800 N Vancouver Suite 100 Portland, OR 97227 www.aahc-portland.org 8/51/2010 PDXO042820I0 Cash Value » S0.00I